Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 34, Shloka 6

सरमायाḥ सीतासान्त्वनम् तथा रावणनिश्चयश्रवणम्

Saarana Consoles Sita and Reports Ravana’s Resolve

Devanagari script

समर्थागगनंगन्तुमपिवात्वंरसातलम् ।अवगच्छाम्यकर्तव्यंकर्तव्यंतेमदन्तरे ।।।।

Transliteration

samarthā gaganaṃ gantum api vā tvaṃ rasātalam |

avagacchāmy akartavyaṃ kartavyaṃ te madantare ||

Translation

May kakayahan kang lumipad sa kalangitan, o bumaba man sa Rasātala; batid kong alang-alang sa akin ay gagawin mo maging ang wari’y di magagawa, sapagkat itinuturing mo itong iyong tungkulin.

Word by Word

• samarthā: capable (O you)
• samarthā: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/vocative sense)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samartha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); संबोधनार्थे (addressing 'you' feminine)

• gaganam: the sky
• gaganam: Karma (कर्म/object of motion)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gagana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• gantum: to go
• gantum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gam (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (Infinitive)

• api: even
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (even/also)

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (or)

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• rasātalam: the netherworld
• rasātalam: Karma (कर्म/object of motion)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rasātala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• avagacchāmi: I understand
• avagacchāmi: Kriya (क्रिया/predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava-√gam (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन (Singular)

• akartavyam: what should not be done
• akartavyam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: a-kartavya (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); नञ्-प्रत्यय (negated gerundive: not-to-be-done)

• kartavyam: what should be done
• kartavyam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kartavya (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); तव्यत्-प्रत्यय (gerundive: to-be-done)

• te: of you / your
• te: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• mad-antare: for my sake / in my matter
• mad-antare: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/purpose)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: mad (asmad-प्रातिपदिक) + antara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; सप्तमी-एकवचन-रूपेण अव्ययवत् (as an indeclinable phrase: 'for my sake/in my case')

Context

"Dark-eyed Sita! I am eager to go (to Rama's presence) and communicate your welfare and message. I can return back hidden (from Ravana's view)."

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Saramā
• Rasātala

FAQs

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

Dharma is framed as steadfast obligation (kartavya) toward protecting the innocent and supporting truth: Sītā recognizes Saramā’s sense of duty in helping her.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā acknowledges Saramā’s extraordinary capacity and willingness to act for her welfare.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Gratitude and discernment: Sītā correctly perceives Saramā’s loyalty and moral intent.