Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 85, Shloka 19

निकुम्भिला

यज्ञविघ्नः — Vibhishana’s Counsel and Lakshmana’s March to Nikumbhila

Devanagari script

तस्यान्तरिक्षेचरतःसरथस्यमहायशः ।न गतिर्ज्ञायतेवीरसूर्यस्येवाभ्रसम्ल्पवे ।।6.85.19।।

Transliteration

tasyāntarikṣe carataḥ sarathasya mahāyaśaḥ |

na gatir jñāyate vīra sūryasyevābhrasamplave ||6.85.19||

Translation

O bayani, habang siya’y naglalakbay sa himpapawid sakay ng kanyang karwahe, hindi matunton ang kanyang daraanan—gaya ng araw kapag natatakpan ng bugso ng mga ulap.

Word by Word

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• hi: indeed/for
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Nipāta (causal/emphatic particle)

• brahmāstravit: knower of the Brahmā-weapon
• brahmāstravit: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: brahma-astra-vit (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: brahma-astra + vit (knower); Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• prājñaḥ: wise
• prājñaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prājña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• mahāmāyaḥ: great in magic
• mahāmāyaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā-māyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya: mahā + māyā; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• mahābalaḥ: very strong
• mahābalaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā-bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya: mahā + bala; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• karoti: makes/causes
• karoti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (present), Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana

• asaṃjñān: unconscious
• asaṃjñān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-saṃjña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Dvitīyā (Acc. 2), Bahuvacana (pl.); negated (अ-)

• saṅgrāme: in battle
• saṅgrāme: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṅgrāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Saptamī (Loc. 7), Ekavacana

• devān: the gods
• devān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Dvitīyā (Acc. 2), Bahuvacana

• sa-varuṇān: along with Varuṇa (and others)
• sa-varuṇān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa + varuṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Dvitīyā (Acc. 2), Bahuvacana; 'with Varuṇa' (saha-artha)

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

Context

Then Rama, who can win over enemies, picked up courage, said to Vibheeshana seated near him in front of Vanaras.

Characters & Entities

• Chariot
• Sky (antarikṣa)
• Sun (sūrya)
• Clouds (abhra)

FAQs

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

Dharma as vigilance: when an enemy uses concealment, one must remain alert and disciplined, not reckless—truthful awareness guides righteous action.

What is the narrative situation?

The enemy’s aerial movement is described as hard to track, indicating the tactical difficulty posed by māyā and speed.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Alertness and battlefield discernment—training the mind to perceive through confusion.