Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 17, Shloka 24

सप्तदशः सर्गः — देवसंवादः तथा वानर-ऋक्ष-उत्पत्तिः

Divine Council and the Generation of Vanara Allies

Devanagari script

शिलाप्रहरणास्सर्वे सर्वे पादपयोधिन:।।।।नखदंष्ट्रायुधास्सर्वे सर्वे सर्वास्त्रकोविदा:।

Transliteration

śilāpraharaṇāḥ sarve sarve pādapayodhinaḥ |

nakhadaṁṣṭrāyudhāḥ sarve sarve sarvāstrakovidāḥ ||

Translation

Todos podiam golpear com rochas; todos lutavam usando árvores; todos traziam garras e presas como armas; e todos eram versados em toda espécie de armamento.

Word by Word

• kāma-rūpa-bala-upetāḥ: endowed with will-forms and strength
• kāma-rūpa-bala-upetāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāma (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक) + bala (प्रातिपदिक) + upeta (कृदन्त; √i धातु + उपसर्ग upa, क्त)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: 'endowed with desired-form and strength' (upeta = 'endowed')

• yathā-kāmam: at will
• yathā-kāmam: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + kāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव: adverb meaning 'according to desire/at will'

• vicāriṇaḥ: wanderers
• vicāriṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vicārin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); agent-noun 'wanderers'

• siṃha-śārdūla-sadṛśāḥ: like lions and tigers
• siṃha-śārdūla-sadṛśāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: siṃha (प्रातिपदिक) + śārdūla (प्रातिपदिक) + sadṛśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); द्वन्द्व within the standard of comparison: 'like lions and tigers'

• darpeṇa: by pride
• darpeṇa: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: darpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

• balena: by strength
• balena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

Context

The devatas, rishis, gandharvas, garudas, yakshas, kimpurushas, siddhas, vidyadharas, uragas and many others were immensely pleased. Thousands of gigantic monkeys wandering in forests were procreated from principal apsarasas vidhyadaris, nagas, and gandharvas.

Characters & Entities

• Vānaras

FAQs

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

Competence and preparedness are part of dharma when used to defend the righteous; skill is not glorified for violence but for restoring moral order.

What is the narrative situation?

The text enumerates the Vānaras’ modes of combat—natural weapons and improvised arms—signaling their suitability for the coming struggle.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sāmarthya (capability) and kauśala (skill): effectiveness in action is presented as necessary for dharmic protection.