Shloka 78

दुन्दुभिवधप्रसङ्गः

The Dundubhi Episode and the Proof of Rama’s Prowess

Devanagari script

उपलब्धं च मे श्लाघ्यं सन्मित्रं मित्रवत्सल।त्वामहं पुरुषव्याघ्र हिमवन्तमिवाश्रितः4.11.78।।

Transliteration

upalabdhaṃ ca me ślāghyaṃ sanmitraṃ mitravatsala |

tvām ahaṃ puruṣavyāghra himavantam ivāśritaḥ || 4.11.78 ||

Translation

Nay ta đã được nơi ngươi một thiện hữu đáng tán dương, một chân bằng hữu, hỡi người yêu quý bạn bè. Hỡi bậc hổ trong loài người, ta nương tựa nơi ngươi như nương tựa dãy Hi-mã-lạp-sơn.

Word by Word

• upalabdham: obtained
• upalabdham: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa + labh (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; ‘obtained/attained’

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्ययम्

• me: to me
• me: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: चतुर्थी (4th/Dative) एकवचनम्; ‘to me/for me’

• ślāghyam: praiseworthy
• ślāghyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ślāghya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (qualifier)

• sanmitram: a true friend
• sanmitram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sat + mitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; कर्मधारयः (sat mitram)

• mitravatsala: O friend-loving one
• mitravatsala: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mitra + vatsala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (mitreṣu vatsalaḥ)

• tvām: you
• tvām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचनम्

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, एकवचनम्

• puruṣavyāghra: O tiger among men
• puruṣavyāghra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣa + vyāghra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (puruṣeṣu vyāghraḥ)

• himavantam: Himalaya
• himavantam: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: himavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; उपमान (standard of comparison)

• iva: like
• iva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-वाचक-अव्ययम् (comparative particle)

• āśritaḥ: have sought refuge (in)
• āśritaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā + śri (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; ‘having taken refuge’

Context

'I have discovered in you a faithful friend. O tiger among men, O venerable one, you are to me like the Himalayas.

Characters & Entities

• Sugriva
• Rama
• Himavan (Himalaya)

FAQs

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

Dharma upholds faithful friendship (mitra-dharma): recognizing virtue in another and seeking righteous alliance grounded in trust and truth.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugriva expresses trust in Rama, calling him a true friend and likening his protection to the steadfast Himalaya.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Mitravatsalatā (loyalty to friends) and reliability—qualities Sugriva perceives in Rama.