Shloka 16

हनूमत्संवादः / Hanuman’s Diplomatic Approach to Rama and Lakshmana

Devanagari script

इमे च धनुषी चित्रे श्लष्णे चित्रानुलेपने।प्रकाशेते यथेन्द्रस्य वज्रे हेमविभूषिते।।

Transliteration

ime ca dhanuṣī citre ślakṣṇe citrānulepane |

prakāśete yathendrasya vajre hemavibhūṣite ||

Translation

ఇవి రెండు ధనుస్సులు కూడా విచిత్రంగా నిర్మితమైనవి—స్పర్శకు మృదువుగా, అద్భుత లేపనంతో అలంకృతమై; స్వర్ణవిభూషిత ఇంద్రుని వజ్రమువలె ప్రకాశిస్తున్నాయి।

Word by Word

• ubhau: both (of you)
• ubhau: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ubha (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (Pronoun), Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Dvivacana

• yogyau: fit, capable (two)
• yogyau: Viśeṣaṇa (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yogya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Dvivacana; agrees with ubhau

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (Pronoun), Prathamā, Ekavacana

• manye: I think
• manye: Kriyā (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √man (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ lakāra (Present/लट्), Uttama-puruṣa (1st person/उत्तमपुरुष), Ekavacana

• rakṣitum: to protect/govern
• rakṣitum: Karma-prayojana (Purpose of action/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √rakṣ (धातु)
• Form: Tumunanta infinitive (तुमुन्/Infinitive): rakṣitum

• pṛthivīm: the earth
• pṛthivīm: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pṛthivī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• imām: this
• imām: Viśeṣaṇa (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma used adjectivally; Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; agrees with pṛthivīm

• sa-sāgara-vanām: with seas and forests
• sa-sāgara-vanām: Viśeṣaṇa (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्गार्थ 'with') + sāgara (प्रातिपदिक) + vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: sāgaraiḥ vanaiś ca saha (with seas and forests); Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; agrees with pṛthivīm

• kṛtsnām: entire
• kṛtsnām: Viśeṣaṇa (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛtsna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; agrees with pṛthivīm

• vindhya-meru-vibhūṣitām: adorned with Vindhya and Meru
• vindhya-meru-vibhūṣitām: Viśeṣaṇa (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vindhya (प्रातिपदिक) + meru (प्रातिपदिक) + vibhūṣita (कृदन्त; vi-√bhūṣ)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: vindhyamerubhyāṃ vibhūṣitām (adorned with Vindhya and Meru); Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; PPP (क्त) agreeing with pṛthivīm

Context

'Smeared with wonderful unguents, (your) bows look very attractive. And they glow very much like Indra's golden thunderbolt.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Indra
• vajra (thunderbolt)
• dhanuṣ (bows)

FAQs

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

Dharma is implied through recognizing noble signs: true worth is seen in disciplined strength and rightful bearing, not mere appearance. Hanumān’s respectful observation prepares a truthful, dharmic approach.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān, having approached the two princes near Ṛṣyamūka, assesses them by their weapons and demeanor, beginning a careful, courteous conversation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s discernment and tact—he praises without flattery, using apt comparisons to identify greatness while maintaining respectful speech.