Shloka 13

गङ्गा–सरयू-सङ्गमः, मलद–करूश-देशकथा, ताटकावनप्रवेशोपदेशः

The Confluence of Gaṅgā and Sarayū; the Tale of Malada–Karūśa; Counsel on Tātakā’s Forest

Devanagari script

अहो वनमिदं दुर्गं झिल्लिकागणनादितम्।भैरवैश्शपदै: पूर्णं शकुन्तैर्दारुणारुतै:।।1.24.13।।

Transliteration

aho vanam idaṃ durgaṃ jhillikā-gaṇa-nāditam | bhairavaiḥ śvapadaiḥ pūrṇaṃ śakuntair dāruṇārutaiḥ || 1.24.13 ||

Translation

“ਅਹੋ! ਇਹ ਜੰਗਲ ਸੱਚਮੁੱਚ ਬਹੁਤ ਦੁৰ্গਮ ਹੈ—ਝਿੱਲੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਲਗਾਤਾਰ ਧੁਨ ਨਾਲ ਗੂੰਜਦਾ, ਭਿਆਨਕ ਜਾਨਵਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਭਰਿਆ, ਅਤੇ ਕਰੜੀ ਚੀਖ ਮਾਰਦੇ ਪੰਛੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਵਿਆਪਤ ਹੈ।”

Word by Word

• अहो: ah!/oh!
• अहो: भावप्रकाशक (Exclamation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अहो (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विस्मयादिबोधक (interjection: alas/oh/wonder)

• वनम्: forest
• वनम्: कर्ता/उद्देश्य (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; एकवचन

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया; एकवचन; निर्देशवाचक; विशेषणम् (qualifying 'वनम्')

• दुर्गम्: inaccessible
• दुर्गम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying 'वनम्')

• झिल्लिका-गण-नादितम्: resounding with swarms of crickets
• झिल्लिका-गण-नादितम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: झिल्लिका (प्रातिपदिक) + गण (प्रातिपदिक) + नादित (नद् धातु; णिच्? क्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (sounded by groups of crickets); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying 'वनम्')

• भैरवैः: frightful
• भैरवैः: करण (Instrumental of accompaniment)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भैरव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति; बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying 'श्वपदैः')

• श्वपदैः: wild beasts/predators
• श्वपदैः: करण/सह (Instrumental: with/by)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्वपद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति; बहुवचन

• पूर्णम्: filled
• पूर्णम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्ण (प्रातिपदिक; पूर् धातु क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying 'वनम्')

• शकुन्तैः: birds
• शकुन्तैः: करण/सह (Instrumental: with/by)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शकुन्ति/शकुन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति; बहुवचन

• दारुण-आरुतैः: with dreadful cries
• दारुण-आरुतैः: करण/सह (Instrumental of accompaniment)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दारुण (प्रातिपदिक) + आरुत (आ+रु धातु; क्त)
• Form: कर्मधारय (having dreadful cries); पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति; बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying 'शकुन्तैः')

Context

"What a wonder! This inaccessible forest echoes with the (shrill) chirpings of crickets It is filled with ferocious beasts and birds producing fearful sounds.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• forest
• wild beasts (śvapada)
• birds (śakunti)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires truthful perception and clear speech: Rāma accurately describes danger without panic, preparing for responsible action.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma observes the ominous forest—its sounds and threatening life—and voices his assessment to Viśvāmitra.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steady courage: acknowledging fearsome signs while remaining composed and duty-ready.