Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 35, Shloka 16

रामलक्षणवर्णनम्

Description of Rama and Lakshmana; Alliance Narrative to Sita

Devanagari script

दुन्दुभिस्वननिर्घोष स्स्निग्धवर्णः प्रतापवान्।सम स्समविभक्ताङ्गो वर्णं श्यामं समाश्रितः।।।।

Transliteration

dundubhi-svana-nirghoṣaḥ snigdha-varṇaḥ pratāpavān | samaḥ samavibhaktāṅgo varṇaṁ śyāmaṁ samāśritaḥ ||

Translation

Ang kanyang tinig ay umuugong na tila tunog ng malaking tambol; ang kanyang kutis ay makintab at kaaya-aya. Siya’y maningning sa tapang, pantay ang tindig, maayos ang pagkakahati ng mga sangkap, at may kagandahang maitim ang kulay.

Word by Word

• dundubhi-svana-nirghoṣaḥ: having a drum-like resonant voice
• dundubhi-svana-nirghoṣaḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dundubhi (प्रातिपदिक) + svana (प्रातिपदिक) + nirghoṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: दुन्दुभिस्वनवत् निर्घोषः यस्य सः

• snigdha-varṇaḥ: of glossy complexion
• snigdha-varṇaḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: snigdha (प्रातिपदिक) + varṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: स्निग्धः वर्णः यस्य सः

• pratāpavān: valorous; radiant with prowess
• pratāpavān: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pratāpa-vat (प्रातिपदिक; -वत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; वत्-प्रत्ययान्त (possessive)

• samaḥ: well-proportioned; even
• samaḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• sama-vibhakta-aṅgaḥ: with symmetrically divided limbs
• sama-vibhakta-aṅgaḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sama (प्रातिपदिक) + vibhakta (कृदन्त, vi-√bhaj-भज्) + aṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: समं विभक्तानि अङ्गानि यस्य सः

• varṇam: complexion/color
• varṇam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• śyāmam: dark
• śyāmam: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śyāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, द्वितीया, एकवचन; वर्णम् इति विशेषण

• samāśritaḥ: possessing; having assumed
• samāśritaḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-ā-śrita (कृदन्त, सम्-आ-√śri-श्रि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP)

Context

"He has three stiff parts, three long parts, three even parts, three shining parts, elevated in three parts, has three raised parts, his body has lines in three parts and is of coppery reddish colour in three parts. He has a majestic look.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma

FAQs

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

Dharma is supported by inner excellence expressed outwardly: steadiness, restraint, and proportion symbolize a mind fit for righteous leadership.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān gives Sītā an identifying description of Rāma—his voice, appearance, and balanced form—to confirm that Hanumān truly knows him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s pratāpa (dignified prowess) joined with moderation and harmony—strength governed by balance.