Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 28, Shloka 11

शुकवाक्यं (Śuka’s Report on the Vānara Host) / Śuka Describes the Allied Forces to Rāvaṇa

Devanagari script

कामरूपीहरिश्रेष्टोबलरूपसमन्वितः ।अनिवार्यगतिश्चैवयथासततगःप्रभुः ।।6.28.11।।

Transliteration

kāmarūpī hariśreṣṭho balarūpasamanvitaḥ |

anivāryagatiś caiva yathā satatagaḥ prabhuḥ ||6.28.11||

Translation

అతడు హరిశ్రేష్ఠుడు, ఇష్టానుసారంగా రూపము ధరించగలవాడు; బలమూ తేజస్సుతో సమన్వితుడు. అతని గతి నిరోధింపరానిది—సదా ప్రవహించే వాయువులాగా అడ్డంకులేని వేగము గలవాడు।

Word by Word

• कामरूपी: able to assume forms at will
• कामरूपी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक) + रूपिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष; पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• हरिश्रेष्ठः: best of vanaras
• हरिश्रेष्ठः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक) + श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष (हरीणां श्रेष्ठः); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• बलरूपसमन्वितः: endowed with strength and form
• बलरूपसमन्वितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक) + समन्वित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष (बलं च रूपं च ताभ्यां समन्वितः); कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अनिवार्यगतिः: of irresistible course/speed
• अनिवार्यगतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन् (नञ्) + वार्य (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष (अनिवार्या गतिः यस्य); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphasis)

• यथा: like/as
• यथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा/प्रकार-अव्यय (as/like)

• सततगः: ever-moving
• सततगः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सतत (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + ग (प्रातिपदिक from गम्)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष (सततं गच्छति इति); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• प्रभुः: the Lord/master
• प्रभुः: Upamana (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; upamāna in ‘यथा’ clause

Context

"He is a jewel among Vanaras. He can change his form at his will. He is endowed with physical strength and charm. Being existent everywhere like wind-god his cause cannot be prevented like that of wind god."

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Vāyu (implied by comparison)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes honest appraisal of capability: leaders must not underestimate opponents; clear sight supports responsible choices in war and governance.

What is the narrative situation?

Śuka continues describing Hanumān’s extraordinary powers and unstoppable mobility to warn Rāvaṇa of the threat.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s mastery and self-control—power that can adapt (kāmarūpa) and act decisively when duty calls.