Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 35, Shloka 8

रामलक्षणवर्णनम्

Description of Rama and Lakshmana; Alliance Narrative to Sita

Devanagari script

रामः कमलपत्त्राक्ष स्सर्वसत्त्वमनोहरः।रूपदाक्षिण्यसम्पन्नः प्रसूतो जनकात्मजे।।।।

Transliteration

rāmaḥ kamalapattrākṣaḥ sarvasattvamanoharaḥ | rūpa-dākṣiṇya-sampannaḥ prasūto janakātmaje ||

Translation

Wahai puteri Janaka, Rāma—bermata laksana kelopak teratai, menawan hati segala makhluk—telah lahir dengan keindahan, kelembutan budi, dan adab yang halus.

Word by Word

• rāmaḥ: Rama
• rāmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular

• kamala-pattrākṣaḥ: lotus-petal-eyed
• kamala-pattrākṣaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kamala + pattra + akṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi (बहुव्रीहि: ‘one whose eyes are like lotus-petals’), Masculine, Nominative (1), Singular

• sarva-sattva-manoharaḥ: charming to all beings
• sarva-sattva-manoharaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva + sattva + manohara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष; determinative: ‘delighting all beings’), Masculine, Nominative (1), Singular

• rūpa-dākṣiṇya-sampannaḥ: endowed with beauty and graciousness
• rūpa-dākṣiṇya-sampannaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rūpa + dākṣiṇya + sampanna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष; ‘endowed with beauty and courtesy’), Masculine, Nominative (1), Singular

• prasūtaḥ: born
• prasūtaḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa/State (भाव)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra-√sū (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त-कृदन्त), Masculine, Nominative (1), Singular

• janakātmaje: O daughter of Janaka
• janakātmaje: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janaka + ātmajā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: janakasya ātmajā), Feminine, Vocative (8/सम्बोधन), Singular

Context

"O daughter of Janaka! Rama with eyes like lotus petals is a person born with a delightful form, richly endowed with indescribable charm and politeness.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Sita
• Janaka

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as inner nobility expressed outwardly: Rama’s righteousness is reflected not only in power but in courtesy (dākṣiṇya), gentleness, and conduct that brings reassurance and well-being to others.

What is the narrative situation?

In Ashoka-vana, Hanuman speaks to Sita to establish confidence and to describe Rama’s qualities so she can trust that Hanuman truly comes from Rama.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s dākṣiṇya—gracious politeness and kindness—along with a naturally attractive, calming presence that wins the trust of all beings.