Shloka 1

स्वयंप्रभा-संवादः

Svayamprabha’s Dialogue with the Vanaras

Devanagari script

अथ तानब्रवीत्सर्वान्विश्रान्तान्हरियूथपान्।इदं वचनमेकाग्रा तापसी धर्मचारिणी।।।।

Transliteration

atha tān abravīt sarvān viśrāntān hariyūthapān | idaṃ vacanam ekāgrā tāpasī dharmacāriṇī ||

Translation

அப்போது எல்லா வானர யூதபதிகளும் ஓய்வடைந்தபின், தர்மத்தை அனுசரிக்கும் ஒருமுகத் தபஸ்வினி அவர்களிடம் இவ்வசனங்களை உரைத்தாள்.

Word by Word

• अथ: then, thereafter
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तर-अव्यय (sequencing particle)

• तान्: those (men)
• तान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), बहुवचन (pl.)

• अब्रवीत्: said, spoke
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Impf./Past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (sg.), परस्मैपद

• सर्वान्: all
• सर्वान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), बहुवचन (pl.); विशेषणम् तान्

• विश्रान्तान्: rested
• विश्रान्तान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + श्रम् (धातु) (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (PPP) ‘विश्रान्त’; पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), बहुवचन (pl.)

• हरियूथपान्: monkey troop-leaders
• हरियूथपान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि + यूथप (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), बहुवचन (pl.); तत्पुरुषः—हरिणां यूथपाः (leaders of monkeys)

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), एकवचन (sg.)

• वचनम्: speech, words
• वचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), एकवचन (sg.)

• एकाग्रा: with focused mind
• एकाग्रा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक + अग्र (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.); कर्मधारयः—एकम् अग्रं यस्याः (one-pointed)

• तापसी: the ascetic woman
• तापसी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तापसी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.)

• धर्मचारिणी: righteous, practicing dharma
• धर्मचारिणी: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म + चारिणी (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.); तत्पुरुषः—धर्मं चरति या (one who practices righteousness)

Context

After the monkey leaders had taken rest, the noble ascetic with undiverted attention said these words:

Characters & Entities

• Svayaṃprabhā
• hariyūthapāḥ (monkey leaders)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as disciplined, mindful speech and righteous conduct: the ascetic woman speaks with ekāgratā (focused attention) and dharma-practice, modeling restraint and moral clarity.

What is the narrative situation?

After the monkey leaders rest, Svayaṃprabhā begins addressing them, setting up her explanation and guidance regarding their predicament in the cave.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Svayaṃprabhā’s virtue of dharma-centered composure—calm attention, self-control, and readiness to guide others.