Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 32, Shloka 42

सीताविलापः

Sītā’s Lament over the Illusory Head and Bow

Devanagari script

अविदूरस्थितान्सर्वान्बलाध्यक्षाहनितैषिणः ।अब्रवीत्कालसदृशोरावणोराक्षसाधिपः ।।6.32.42।।

Transliteration

avidūra-sthitān sarvān balādhyakṣān hitaiṣiṇaḥ | abravīt kāla-sadṛśo rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ ||6.32.42||

Translation

Si Rāvaṇa, ang panginoon ng mga rākṣasa na wari’y si Kamatayan mismo, ay nagsalita sa lahat ng mga pinunò ng hukbo at sa mga nagmamalasakit na nakatayo sa malapit.

Word by Word

• avidūra-sthitān: standing not far (nearby)
• avidūra-sthitān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: avidūra (अविदूर प्रातिपदिक) + sthita (स्थित कृदन्त)
• Form: Kta-participle from √sthā (स्था); puṃliṅga, dvitīyā, bahuvacana; qualifies balādhyakṣān

• sarvān: all
• sarvān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (सर्व प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, dvitīyā, bahuvacana; qualifies balādhyakṣān

• bala-adhyakṣān: commanders/overseers of the army
• bala-adhyakṣān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bala (बल प्रातिपदिक) + adhyakṣa (अध्यक्ष प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, dvitīyā, bahuvacana; object of abravīt

• hitaiṣiṇaḥ: well-wishers
• hitaiṣiṇaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hita (हित प्रातिपदिक) + eṣin (एषिन् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, dvitīyā, bahuvacana; qualifies balādhyakṣān; ‘seeking welfare’

• abravīt: said/spoke
• abravīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (ब्रू धातु)
• Form: Luṅ-lakāra (aorist), prathama-puruṣa, ekavacana; parasmaipada

• kāla-sadṛśaḥ: like Death (Time)
• kāla-sadṛśaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāla (काल प्रातिपदिक) + sadṛśa (सदृश प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, prathamā, ekavacana; qualifies rāvaṇaḥ

• rāvaṇaḥ: Rāvaṇa
• rāvaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāvaṇa (रावण प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, prathamā, ekavacana

• rākṣasa-adhipaḥ: lord of rākṣasas
• rākṣasa-adhipaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (राक्षस) + adhipa (अधिप प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, prathamā, ekavacana; apposition to rāvaṇaḥ

Context

The king of Rakshasas and the ministers of terrific valour then thought about the course of action to be taken against Rama and decided.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Kāla (Death/Time)

FAQs

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

It highlights hierarchy and responsibility in wartime: leaders must communicate clearly with those entrusted with protection. Dharma in command involves accountability to one’s forces and dependents.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa turns from internal deliberation to issuing directions, addressing commanders and supporters gathered close to him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Command presence and decisiveness—mobilizing leadership at a critical moment.