Shloka 16

Adhiratha-Rādhā Discover the Casket; Vasuṣeṇa (Karṇa) is Adopted and Formed

Devanagari script

ततस्ते हरय: सर्वे नच्छुत्वा रामभाषितम्‌ । गतासुकल्पा निश्चेष्ठा बभूवु: सहलक्ष्मणा:,श्रीरामचन्द्रजीका यह कथन सुनकर समस्त वानर तथा लक्ष्मण सबके सब मरे हुएके समान निश्चैष्ट हो गये

Transliteration

tatas te harayaḥ sarve na śrutvā rāma-bhāṣitam | gatāsukalpā niśceṣṭā babhūvuḥ saha-lakṣmaṇāḥ ||

Translation

Bấy giờ toàn thể bầy khỉ, nghe lời Rāma, đều như mất hồn—đứng sững, bất động; và Lakṣmaṇa cũng cùng họ chìm trong sự lặng câm đau xót ấy.

Word by Word

ततःthen/thereupon

तेthey/those

हरयःmonkeys/Vanaras

सर्वेall

निशम्यhaving heard

रामभाषितम्Rama's speech/words spoken by Rama

गतासुकल्पाःas if life had departed (like dead)

निश्चेष्टाःmotionless/inactive

बभूवुःbecame/were

सहtogether with

लक्ष्मणेनwith Lakshmana

Speaker

मार्कण्डेय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Rāma

Lakṣmaṇa

Harayaḥ (Vānara-s, monkeys)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the moral weight of a righteous leader’s words: when duty and grave resolve are expressed, they can overwhelm even strong companions. It implicitly teaches steadiness (dhairya) and loyal support in moments when despair threatens collective action.

What is happening in the narrative?

After Rāma speaks, the entire Vānara host—along with Lakṣmaṇa—becomes stunned and motionless, as if lifeless. Their reaction conveys shock and sorrow at the seriousness of what Rāma has said and the crisis it implies.