Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 28, Shloka 1

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

Devanagari script

साराणस्यवचश्श्रुत्वारावणंराक्षसाधिपम् ।बलमादिश्यतत्सर्वंशुकोवाक्यमथाब्रवीत् ।।6.28.1।।

Transliteration

sārāṇasya vacaḥ śrutvā rāvaṇaṃ rākṣasādhipam |

balam ādiśya tat sarvaṃ śuko vākyam athābravīt ||6.28.1||

Translation

ครั้นได้สดับถ้อยคำรายงานของสารณะแล้ว ศุกะได้บรรยายกำลังพลทั้งหมดโดยพิสดารถวายแด่ทศกัณฐ์ ผู้เป็นจอมแห่งรากษส แล้วจึงกล่าวต่อไป

Word by Word

• अमर्षी: unforgiving
• अमर्षी: कर्तृविशेषण (Karta-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमर्षिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; इन्-प्रत्ययान्त (possessive): ‘one who has no forbearance’

• दुर्जयः: hard to conquer
• दुर्जयः: कर्तृविशेषण (Karta-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर् + जय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (hard-to-conquer)

• जेता: conqueror
• जेता: कर्ता (Karta; predicate noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: √जि (धातु), तृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तृ-प्रत्ययान्त कर्तृवाचक (agent noun): ‘conqueror’

• विक्रान्तः: valiant
• विक्रान्तः: कर्तृविशेषण (Karta-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + √क्रम् (धातु), क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• बुद्धिमान्: wise
• बुद्धिमान्: कर्तृविशेषण (Karta-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बुद्धिमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• बली: strong
• बली: कर्तृविशेषण (Karta-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; इन्-प्रत्ययान्त

• रामस्य: of Rama
• रामस्य: षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• दक्षिणः: right
• दक्षिणः: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बाहुः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• बाहुः: arm
• बाहुः: कर्ता (Karta; predicate/apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्यम् (अव्यय)
• Form: काल-अव्यय (always)

• प्राणः: life-breath
• प्राणः: समनाधिकरण (Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• बहिः-चरः: moving outside (as external breath)
• बहिः-चरः: समनाधिकरण/विशेषण (Apposition/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहिः (अव्यय) + चर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अव्ययीभावः (बहिः चरः = moving outside)

Context

Then Ravana the king of Rakshasas having heard Saarana's words and described the strength (of Vanaras) Suka spoke these words.

Characters & Entities

• Śuka
• Sāraṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Dharma here is truthful counsel: a messenger or advisor must report facts as they are, even when the truth is unwelcome to a ruler.

What is the narrative situation?

In Laṅkā, after Sāraṇa’s account is heard, Śuka continues briefing Rāvaṇa about the enemy’s strength and key heroes.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śuka’s role highlights disciplined communication and responsibility in counsel—speaking with clarity about military realities.