Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 108, Shloka 14

रावणरथवैभव–निमित्तदर्शन–राममातलिसंवादः

Ravana’s Chariot, Portents, and Rama–Matali Instructions

Devanagari script

परितुष्टः स रामस्यतेनवाक्येनमातलिः ।प्रचोदयामासरथंसुरसारथिरुत्तमः ।।।।

Transliteration

parituṣṭaḥ sa rāmasya tena vākyena mātaliḥ |

pracodayāmāsa rathaṃ surasārathir uttamaḥ ||6.108.14||

Translation

Satisfeito com as palavras de Rāma, Mātali—o mais excelente cocheiro dos deuses—instigou a carruagem para a frente.

Word by Word

• parituṣṭaḥ: delighted
• parituṣṭaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-√tuṣ (तुष् धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Kridanta past passive participle (kta); Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); predicate of 'mātaliḥ'

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• rāmasya: of Rama
• rāmasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• tena: by that
• tena: Karaṇa (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun; Masculine/Neuter (पुं/नपुंसक), Instrumental (तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• vākyena: by the words/speech
• vākyena: Karaṇa (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• mātaliḥ: Matali
• mātaliḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mātali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• pracodayāmāsa: drove/urged on
• pracodayāmāsa: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√cud (चुद् धातु) + ṇic (णिच्)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (perfect), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person), Singular (एकवचन); causative (ṇic): 'set in motion/drove'

• ratham: chariot
• ratham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• sura-sārathiḥ: charioteer of the gods
• sura-sārathiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sura (प्रातिपदिक) + sārathi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); apposition to 'mātaliḥ'

• uttamaḥ: excellent/best
• uttamaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uttama (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Adjective; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying 'sura-sārathiḥ/mātaliḥ'

Context

Matali, the best charioteer of the Devatas, was highly delighted at Rama's words and started driving.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Mātali
• Devas (Suras)
• Chariot

FAQs

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

Dharma is strengthened by right speech and mutual respect: when leaders speak with humility and truth, cooperation becomes effortless and effective.

What is the narrative situation?

After hearing Rāma’s considerate words, Mātali responds positively and advances the chariot for the confrontation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Team-aligned discipline: Mātali’s readiness to act in harmony with Rāma’s dharmic intent.