Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 4, Shloka 10

Devanagari script

फलमूलवता नील शीतकाननवारिणा ।पथा मधुमता चाशु सेनां सेनापते नय ।।।।

Transliteration

phalamūlavatā nīla śītakānanavāriṇā |

pathā madhumatā cāśu senāṃ senāpate naya ||6.4.10||

Translation

O Nīla, pinunò ng hukbo, akayin mo agad ang sandatahan sa daang sagana sa bunga at ugat, may malamig na tubig-gubat at matamis na pulot.

Word by Word

• phala-mūla-vatā: by/with (a route) having fruits and roots
• phala-mūla-vatā: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: phala (प्रातिपदिक) + mūla (प्रातिपदिक) + -vat (तद्धित)
• Form: समासः—द्वन्द्व: phala + mūla; तद्धितान्त ‘-vat’ (possessing); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; पथस्य विशेषणम्

• nīla: O Nīla
• nīla: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• śīta-kānana-vāriṇā: with cool forests and water
• śīta-kānana-vāriṇā: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śīta (प्रातिपदik) + kānana (प्रातिपदik) + vārin (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: समासः—तत्पुरुष (determinative): śītaṃ kānanaṃ vāri ca (cool forest and water) as descriptive of path; पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग-समर्थ्ये, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; पथस्य विशेषणम्

• pathā: by the path
• pathā: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pathin/patha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन

• madhumatā: honeyed/sweet (abounding in honey)
• madhumatā: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: madhumat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; पथस्य विशेषणम्

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• āśu: quickly
• āśu: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: āśu (अव्यय)
• Form: रीतिवाचक-अव्यय (adverb): quickly

• senām: the army
• senām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: senā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• senāpate: O commander
• senāpate: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: senāpati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• naya: lead
• naya: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nī (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन (singular), परस्मैपद

Context

"O Nila, the chief of the army! Go fast with the army along the way which has plenty of fruits and roots, shady forests and cool water and sweet smelling honey".

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Nīla
• vānara army (senā)

FAQs

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

Dharma as responsible leadership: Rāma ensures the army’s welfare—choosing a route that sustains them—showing care, foresight, and non-neglect of dependents.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma issues logistical instructions to Nīla for moving the forces efficiently and safely through resource-rich terrain.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s compassion and prudence in command—strategic speed balanced with protection and provisioning of his allies.