Shloka 26

Devanagari script

एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण वाक्यं दनुरनुत्तमम्।।3.71.26।।प्रोवाच कुशलो वक्तुं वक्तारमपि राघवम्।

Transliteration

evam uktas tu rāmeṇa vākyaṃ danur anuttamam | provāca kuśalo vaktuṃ vaktāram api rāghavam ||

Translation

Assim interpelado por Rāma, Danu, hábil na palavra, respondeu a Rāghava —ele próprio exímio orador— com dizeres excelentes e elevados.

Word by Word

• evam: thus
• evam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, manner adverb (प्रकारवाचक)

• uktaḥ: having been addressed
• uktaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative 1st (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• tu: then; but
• tu: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, particle (निपात)

• rāmeṇa: by Rama
• rāmeṇa: Karta/Agent-in-passive (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental 3rd (तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• vākyam: speech; statement
• vākyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative 2nd (द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• danuḥ: Danu
• danuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: danu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative 1st (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• anuttamam: unsurpassed; excellent
• anuttamam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anuttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative 2nd (द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies vākyam

• provāca: said; spoke forth
• provāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु) with pra- (उपसर्ग)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• kuśalaḥ: skilled
• kuśalaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kuśala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative 1st (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies danuḥ

• vaktum: to speak
• vaktum: Kriyārtha (क्रियार्थ)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Infinitive (तुमुन्)

• vaktāram: the speaker; orator
• vaktāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaktṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative 2nd (द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• api: also
• api: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, particle (समुच्चय/अपि = 'also/even')

• rāghavam: Rama (Raghava)
• rāghavam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāghava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative 2nd (द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

Context

Danu who was proficient in speech spoke with chosen words to Rama who was a great speaker himself:

Characters & Entities

• Rama (Raghava)
• Danu

FAQs

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

The verse frames dialogue as disciplined and purposeful: in dharmic inquiry, speech should be competent, measured, and oriented toward truth and benefit.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rāma’s request about Sītā, the narrator introduces Danu’s formal reply, highlighting both speakers’ eloquence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Skillful, responsible speech (vāg-guṇa) used in service of truthful counsel.