Shloka 44

लङ्काप्रवेशः

Hanuman Enters Lanka and Encounters Laṅkā-devatā

Devanagari script

प्रसीद सुमहाबाहो त्रायस्व हरिसत्तम ।।।।समये सौम्य तिष्ठन्ति सत्त्ववन्तो महाबलाः।

Transliteration

prasīda sumahābāho trāyasva harisattama | samaye saumya tiṣṭhanti sattvavanto mahābalāḥ ||

Translation

‘அருள்புரிவாயாக, ஓ பெரும் தோளுடையவனே; என்னை காப்பாயாக, ஓ வானரச் சிறந்தவனே. ஓ சௌம்யனே, சத்துவமுள்ள மகாபல வீரர்கள் உரிய நேரத்தில் அடக்கத்துடன் நிலைத்து நிற்பர்।’

Word by Word

• prasīda: be gracious
• prasīda: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sad (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ (लोट्, imperative), Madhyama-puruṣa (मध्यमपुरुष) Ekavacana; parasmaipada; pra- + √sad ‘be pleased’

• su-mahā-bāho: O very long-armed one
• su-mahā-bāho: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: su (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + bāhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Sambodhana (सम्बोधन) Ekavacana; bahuvrīhi ‘one whose arms are very great’

• trāyasva: save (me)
• trāyasva: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: trā (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ, Madhyama-puruṣa Ekavacana; ātmanepada; ‘protect/save (me)’

• hari-sattama: O best of monkeys
• hari-sattama: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक) + sattama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Sambodhana Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी) ‘best among monkeys’

• samaye: at the proper time
• samaye: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Saptamī (सप्तमी) Ekavacana; locative of time

• saumya: O gentle/noble one
• saumya: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saumya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Sambodhana Ekavacana; address

• tiṣṭhanti: stand/abide
• tiṣṭhanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sthā (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (लट्, present), Prathama-puruṣa Bahuvacana; parasmaipada

• sattvavantaḥ: the courageous
• sattvavantaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sattva-vat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā Bahuvacana; possessive adjective used substantively ‘those having courage’

• mahābalāḥ: the very strong
• mahābalāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā-bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā Bahuvacana; bahuvrīhi ‘those of great strength’ (used substantively)

Context

"O, strong-shouldered great monkey! be gracious. Save me. Heroes endowed with great strength stay back when the time comes.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Laṅkā

FAQs

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

Dharma is expressed as strength guided by restraint: true heroes do not act from rage but know when to pause, protect, and act with measured judgment.

What is the narrative situation?

Laṅkā-devatā, subdued, appeals to Hanumān for mercy and protection, praising heroic self-control.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kṣamā (forbearance/mercy) and kāla-jñāna (knowing the right time) as marks of genuine heroism.