Shloka 39

समुद्रतट-प्रयाणम् तथा वेलावन-निवेशः

March to the Seacoast and Encampment at the Shore

Devanagari script

रामस्य शासनं ज्ञात्वा भीमकोपस्य भीतवत् ।वर्जयन्नगराभ्याशां स्तथा जनपदानपि ।।।।सागरौघनिभं भीमं तद्वानरबलं महत् ।उत्ससर्प महाघोषं भीमघोषमिवार्णव: ।।।।

Transliteration

rāmasya śāsanaṃ jñātvā bhīmakopasya bhītavat | varjayan nagarābhyāśāṃs tathā janapadān api || sāgaraughanibhaṃ bhīmaṃ tad vānarabalaṃ mahat | utsasarpa mahāghoṣaṃ bhīmaghoṣam ivārṇavaḥ ||

Translation

Ao conhecerem a ordem de Rāma—como se temessem sua terrível cólera—os grandes e terríveis vānaras, vastos como a arrebentação do oceano, avançaram evitando as cercanias das cidades e até as aldeias, bramindo com um clamor poderoso e pavoroso, como o rugido do mar.

Word by Word

तस्यof him

दाशरथेःof Daśaratha’s son (Rama)

पार्श्वेat the side

शूराःheroes

तेthose

कपिकुञ्जराःmighty monkeys

तूर्णम्swiftly

आपुप्लुवुःleapt/rushed

सर्वेall

सदश्वाःgood horses

इवlike

चोदिताःurged/driven

Context

The dreadful vanara army expansive as the ocean went knowing about the fear of Rama's wrath. They went avoiding parts of cities and villages making frightening sounds like the great sound of the waves of the ocean.

Characters & Entities

Rāma

Cities (nagara)

Ocean (ārṇava)

FAQs

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

Dharma in warfare includes restraint: even a massive army must avoid harming or disturbing ordinary civic life; strength is governed by command and moral boundary (maryādā).

What is the narrative situation?

The vānaras march in a disciplined manner under Rāma’s directive, deliberately skirting populated areas while their host advances like a roaring sea.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s righteous authority—his leadership compels order and protects non-combatants; the army’s obedience reflects self-control.