Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 14

अष्टादशः सर्गः (Sarga 18): रावणस्य प्रमदावनप्रवेशः

Ravana’s entry into the women’s grove

Devanagari script

राजहंसप्रतीकाशं छत्रं पूर्णशशिप्रभम्।सौवर्णदण्डमपरा गृहीत्वा पृष्ठतो ययौ।।5.18.14।।

Transliteration

rāja-haṁsa-pratīkāśaṁ chatraṁ pūrṇa-śaśi-prabham |

sauvarṇa-daṇḍam aparā gṛhītvā pṛṣṭhato yayau ||5.18.14||

Translation

మరొక స్త్రీ వెనుకగా నడిచింది; స్వర్ణదండముతో కూడిన ఛత్రాన్ని పట్టుకొని—అది రాజహంసవలె శుభ్రంగా, పూర్ణచంద్రునివలె ప్రకాశించుచుండెను।

Word by Word

• rājahaṃsa-pratīkāśam: resembling a royal swan
• rājahaṃsa-pratīkāśam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rājahaṃsa (प्रातिपदिक) + pratīkāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Acc/2nd), एकवचन; उपमान-तत्पुरुषः: rājahaṃsa-iva pratīkāśaḥ (resembling a royal swan); विशेषणम् of chatram

• chatram: umbrella
• chatram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: chatra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Acc/2nd), एकवचन

• pūrṇaśaśi-prabham: bright like the full moon
• pūrṇaśaśi-prabham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pūrṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + śaśin (प्रातिपदिक) + prabhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Acc/2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: pūrṇasya śaśinaḥ prabhā (splendour of the full moon) = full-moon-bright; विशेषणम् of chatram

• sauvarṇa-daṇḍam: with a golden handle
• sauvarṇa-daṇḍam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: suvarṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + daṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Acc/2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: suvarṇasya daṇḍaḥ (golden staff/handle); विशेषणम् of chatram

• aparā: another (lady)
• aparā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: apara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nom/1st), एकवचन; 'another (woman)'

• gṛhītvā: having taken
• gṛhītvā: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: grah (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive): 'having taken'

• pṛṣṭhataḥ: behind
• pṛṣṭhataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pṛṣṭhataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, देशवाचक (adverb: behind)

• yayau: went
• yayau: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yā (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

Context

The chief wives of Ravana with eyes dizzy with sleep and drinking followed their heroic husband like streaks of lightning follow a thunder cloud. (Ravana who was dark looked like a cloud and the women with dazzling golden complexion appeared like lightning.)

Characters & Entities

• full moon (pūrṇa-śaśi)

FAQs

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

It illustrates the outward signs of sovereignty; the Ramayana repeatedly teaches that true dharma is not mere royal display but righteous conduct and protection of others.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa is being attended like a king; an attendant follows behind carrying a splendid umbrella.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The implied virtue is humility and rightful kingship: royal emblems should reflect inner righteousness, not conceal wrongdoing.