Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 17, Shloka 12

सप्तदशः सर्गः — देवसंवादः तथा वानर-ऋक्ष-उत्पत्तिः

Divine Council and the Generation of Vanara Allies

Devanagari script

पावकस्य सुतश्श्रीमान् नीलोऽग्निसदृशप्रभ:।तेजसा यशसा वीर्यादत्यरिच्यत वानरान्।।।।

Transliteration

pāvakasya sutaḥ śrīmān nīlo 'gnisadṛśaprabhaḥ | tejasā yaśasā vīryād atyaricyata vānarān ||

Translation

Nīla, o ilustre filho de Pāvaka (Agni), resplandecente como o próprio fogo, superou os demais Vānaras em energia, fama e valentia.

Word by Word

• पावकस्य: of Pāvaka (Agni)
• पावकस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पावक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; Genitive singular

• सुतः: son
• सुतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, एकवचन; पुंलिङ्ग

• श्रीमान्: illustrious
• श्रीमान्: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, एकवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषण

• नीलः: Nīla
• नीलः: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, एकवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; व्यक्तिनाम

• अग्निसदृशप्रभः: having brilliance like fire
• अग्निसदृशप्रभः: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक) + सदृश (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, एकवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषण; समासः (अग्निसदृशा प्रभा यस्य) बहुपद-तत्पुरुष/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष-प्राय; Nominative singular masculine adjective

• तेजसा: by energy, by splendor
• तेजसा: Karana (करण/instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; Instrumental singular

• यशसा: by fame
• यशसा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यशस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया, एकवचन; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; Instrumental singular

• वीर्यात्: due to prowess
• वीर्यात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; Ablative singular (cause/source)

• अत्यरिच्यत: surpassed
• अत्यरिच्यत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अति + रिच् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; ‘अति’ उपसर्ग; surpassed

• वानरान्: (other) monkeys
• वानरान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वानर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया, बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; Accusative plural

Context

Neela, the prosperous son of Agni the fire-god who equalled him in glow surpassed other monkeys in energy, renown and prowess.

Characters & Entities

• Agni (Pāvaka)
• Nīla
• Vānaras

FAQs

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

Dharma is protected by courageous excellence: strength and renown are portrayed as legitimate when they serve the defeat of adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

The narrative highlights outstanding Vānara champions and their divine origins, emphasizing their exceptional capacities.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vīrya (valor) joined with tejas (inner radiance/energy) and yaśas (earned reputation).