Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 25, Shloka 14

शुकसारण-चारप्रवेशः

Suka and Sāraṇa’s Espionage and Release

Devanagari script

तस्यैमौराक्षसेन्द्रस्यमन्त्रिणौशुकसारणौ ।लङ्कायस्समनुप्राप्तौचारौपरपुरञ्जय:।। ।।

Transliteration

tasyaime rākṣasendrasya mantriṇau śuka-sāraṇau | laṅkāyāḥ samanuprāptau cārau para-purañjaya ||

Translation

«О покоритель вражеских твердынь, эти двое — Шука и Сарана — советники владыки ракшасов; они прибыли из Ланки как лазутчики.»

Word by Word

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; demonstrative 'that' qualifying balārṇavam

• balārṇavam: ocean-like host/army-ocean
• balārṇavam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक) + arṇava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (balasya arṇavaḥ), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; object

• akṣobhyam: unshakable
• akṣobhyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-kṣobhya (प्रातिपदिक; from √kṣubh with negation)
• Form: कृदन्त/साध्य-विशेषण (यत्/ण्यत् sense: 'not to be shaken'), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; qualifying balārṇavam

• dadṛśāte: (the two) saw
• dadṛśāte: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्षभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, द्विवचन, परस्मैपद; 'they two saw'

• niśācarau: the two night-rangers (rakshasas)
• niśācarau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niśācara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा द्विवचन; nominative dual

Context

"O conqueror of enemy's citadels! these are spies from Lanka, Suka and Saarana who have come to find us out."

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāma
• Rāvaṇa
• Śuka
• Sāraṇa
• Laṅkā

FAQs

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

Satya in counsel: Dharma in leadership includes truthful reporting—Vibhīṣaṇa clearly identifies the threat so that justice can be administered without confusion.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa formally identifies the captured men as Rāvaṇa’s ministers and spies from Laṅkā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Clear-sighted counsel and loyalty to righteousness—speaking truth to the rightful leader.