Shloka 16

हनूमत्संवादः / Hanuman’s Diplomatic Approach to Rama and Lakshmana

Devanagari script

इमे च धनुषी चित्रे श्लष्णे चित्रानुलेपने।प्रकाशेते यथेन्द्रस्य वज्रे हेमविभूषिते।।

Transliteration

ime ca dhanuṣī citre ślakṣṇe citrānulepane |

prakāśete yathendrasya vajre hemavibhūṣite ||

Translation

Và hai cây cung này—chế tác kỳ diệu, nhẵn mịn khi chạm, lại được xức những hương dược tinh mỹ—rực sáng như lôi chùy của Đế Thích, điểm vàng huy hoàng.

Word by Word

• ubhau: both (of you)
• ubhau: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ubha (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (Pronoun), Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Dvivacana

• yogyau: fit, capable (two)
• yogyau: Viśeṣaṇa (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yogya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Dvivacana; agrees with ubhau

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (Pronoun), Prathamā, Ekavacana

• manye: I think
• manye: Kriyā (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √man (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ lakāra (Present/लट्), Uttama-puruṣa (1st person/उत्तमपुरुष), Ekavacana

• rakṣitum: to protect/govern
• rakṣitum: Karma-prayojana (Purpose of action/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √rakṣ (धातु)
• Form: Tumunanta infinitive (तुमुन्/Infinitive): rakṣitum

• pṛthivīm: the earth
• pṛthivīm: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pṛthivī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• imām: this
• imām: Viśeṣaṇa (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma used adjectivally; Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; agrees with pṛthivīm

• sa-sāgara-vanām: with seas and forests
• sa-sāgara-vanām: Viśeṣaṇa (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्गार्थ 'with') + sāgara (प्रातिपदिक) + vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: sāgaraiḥ vanaiś ca saha (with seas and forests); Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; agrees with pṛthivīm

• kṛtsnām: entire
• kṛtsnām: Viśeṣaṇa (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛtsna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; agrees with pṛthivīm

• vindhya-meru-vibhūṣitām: adorned with Vindhya and Meru
• vindhya-meru-vibhūṣitām: Viśeṣaṇa (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vindhya (प्रातिपदिक) + meru (प्रातिपदिक) + vibhūṣita (कृदन्त; vi-√bhūṣ)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: vindhyamerubhyāṃ vibhūṣitām (adorned with Vindhya and Meru); Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; PPP (क्त) agreeing with pṛthivīm

Context

'Smeared with wonderful unguents, (your) bows look very attractive. And they glow very much like Indra's golden thunderbolt.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Indra
• vajra (thunderbolt)
• dhanuṣ (bows)

FAQs

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

Dharma is implied through recognizing noble signs: true worth is seen in disciplined strength and rightful bearing, not mere appearance. Hanumān’s respectful observation prepares a truthful, dharmic approach.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān, having approached the two princes near Ṛṣyamūka, assesses them by their weapons and demeanor, beginning a careful, courteous conversation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s discernment and tact—he praises without flattery, using apt comparisons to identify greatness while maintaining respectful speech.