Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 35, Shloka 15

रामलक्षणवर्णनम्

Description of Rama and Lakshmana; Alliance Narrative to Sita

Devanagari script

विपुलांसो महाबाहुः कम्बुग्रीवश्शुभाननः।गूढजत्रुस्सुताम्राक्षो रामो देवि जनै श्श्रुतः।।।।

Transliteration

vipulāṃso mahābāhuḥ kambugrīvaḥ śubhānanaḥ | gūḍha-jatruḥ sutāmrākṣo rāmo devi janaiḥ śrutaḥ ||

Translation

Wahai tuan puteri, Rāma—berbahu bidang dan berlengan perkasa, berleher laksana cangkerang sankha dan berwajah mulia; bahunya tegap tersusun, matanya kemerahan bak tembaga—terkenal di kalangan manusia.

Word by Word

• vipula-aṃsaḥ: broad-shouldered
• vipula-aṃsaḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vipula (प्रातिपदिक) + aṃsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: विपुलौ अंसौ यस्य सः

• mahā-bāhuḥ: mighty-armed
• mahā-bāhuḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + bāhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: महान्तौ बाहू यस्य सः

• kambu-grīvaḥ: conch-necked
• kambu-grīvaḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kambu (प्रातिपदिक) + grīvā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: कम्बुसदृशी ग्रीवा यस्य सः

• śubha-ānanaḥ: of auspicious face
• śubha-ānanaḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक) + ānana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: शुभम् आननं यस्य सः

• gūḍha-jatruḥ: with well-formed collar/shoulder region
• gūḍha-jatruḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gūḍha (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + jatru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: गूढं जत्रु यस्य सः (well-rounded/hidden collar-bones)

• su-tāmra-akṣaḥ: copper-reddish-eyed
• su-tāmra-akṣaḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + tāmra (प्रातिपदिक) + akṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: सुताम्रे अक्षिणी यस्य सः

• rāmaḥ: Rama
• rāmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• devi: O lady (goddess-like)
• devi: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• janaiḥ: by people
• janaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument; agentive 'by people')
• Type: Noun
• Root: jana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• śrutaḥ: renowned; heard of
• śrutaḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śruta (कृदन्त, √śru-श्रु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP)

Context

"O god-like lady! Rama has broad shoulders, strong arms, conch-shaped neck and an auspicious countenance. With his fleshy round arms and coppery-red eyes, he is renowned in all the worlds.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sītā (as speaker)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is ideal leadership embodied: outer excellence is presented as a sign of inner worth, supporting confidence in the righteous hero who restores truth and justice.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā continues her praise of Rāma, describing his renowned and auspicious appearance as part of affirming his heroic identity.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s heroic excellence (vīrya/tejas) and auspiciousness associated with righteous kingship.