Shloka 4

किष्किन्धायां सुग्रीवस्य नादः

Sugriva’s War-Cry at Kishkindha

Devanagari script

अथ बालार्कसदृशो दृप्तसिंहगतिस्तदा4.14.4।।दृष्ट्वा रामं क्रियादक्षं सुग्रीवो वाक्यमब्रवीत्।

Transliteration

atha bālārkasadṛśo dṛptasiṁhagatīs tadā || 4.14.4 ||

dṛṣṭvā rāmaṁ kriyādakṣaṁ sugrīvo vākyam abravīt |

Translation

अथ बालार्कसदृशो दृप्तसिंहगतिस्तदा। रामं क्रियादक्षं दृष्ट्वा सुग्रीवो वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥

Word by Word

• atha: then
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, discourse particle: "then"

• bālārka-sadṛśaḥ: like the rising sun
• bālārka-sadṛśaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bāla-arka (प्रातिपदिक) + sadṛśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; Tatpuruṣa: "resembling the young/rising sun" qualifying sugrīvaḥ

• dṛpta-siṃha-gatiḥ: with the gait of a proud lion
• dṛpta-siṃha-gatiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dṛpta (प्रातिपदिक) + siṃha (प्रातिपदिक) + gati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; Tatpuruṣa: "having the gait of a proud lion" qualifying sugrīvaḥ

• tadā: at that time
• tadā: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, temporal adverb: "at that time"

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (दृश् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त): "having seen"

• rāmam: Rama
• rāmam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• kriyā-dakṣam: skilled in action
• kriyā-dakṣam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kriyā (प्रातिपदिक) + dakṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; Tatpuruṣa: "skilled in action" qualifying rāmam

• sugrīvaḥ: Sugriva
• sugrīvaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sugrīva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• vākyam: words/speech
• vākyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• abravīt: said
• abravīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √brū (ब्रू धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्) in epic usage / aorist-like narrative, 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada: "said"

Context

On hearing Rama's words, the golden-hued Sugriva roared in a fierce voice as if it would piece the sky.

Characters & Entities

• Sugriva
• Rama

FAQs

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

Dharma here is expressed through right partnership: Sugriva recognizes Rama’s capacity for effective, principled action, implying that righteous aims are pursued best with competent and trustworthy allies.

What is the narrative situation?

Immediately after the challenge and preparations, Sugriva turns to Rama and begins to speak, setting up guidance and the next steps in confronting Vali.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discernment and respect—Sugriva acknowledges Rama’s capability (kriyādakṣa), valuing competent dharmic action.