Shloka 8

अकम्पनवृत्तान्तः

Akampana Reports Janasthana; Ravana Plans Sita’s Abduction

Devanagari script

तथा क्रुद्धं दशग्रीवं कृताञ्जलिरकम्पनः।भयात्सन्दिग्धया वाचा रावणं याचतेऽभयम्।।3.31.8।।

Transliteration

tathā kruddhaṃ daśagrīvaṃ kṛtāñjalir akampanaḥ | bhayāt sandigdhayā vācā rāvaṇaṃ yācate ’bhayam || 3.31.8 ||

Translation

见十首罗刹王（Daśagrīva）如此震怒，阿坎帕那合掌致敬，因惧而语声颤抖、含糊不定，向罗波那祈求庇护无畏。

Word by Word

• तथा: thus/likewise
• तथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverb)

• क्रुद्धम्: angry
• क्रुद्धम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: krudh (धातु) → kruddha (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; used adjectivally qualifying दशग्रीवम्

• दशग्रीवम्: Daśagrīva (Rāvaṇa)
• दशग्रीवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daśa-grīva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (daśānāṃ grīvāḥ yasya) as a proper name

• कृताञ्जलिः: with folded hands
• कृताञ्जलिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta-añjali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (kṛtaḥ añjaliḥ yena) ‘with folded palms’

• अकम्पनः: Akampana
• अकम्पनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: akampana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन; proper noun

• भयात्: out of fear
• भयात्: Apādāna/Hetu (अपादान/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (अपादान), एकवचन; ablative of cause

• सन्दिग्धया: hesitating/uncertain
• सन्दिग्धया: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṃdigdha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन; agrees with वाचा

• वाचा: with (his) speech/words
• वाचा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāc (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन

• रावणम्: Rāvaṇa
• रावणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• याचते: begs/requests
• याचते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yāc (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अभयम्: fearlessness/protection
• अभयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: abhaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

Context

Akampana, out of fear, implored the inflamed Ravana with folded hands and faltering voice to spare him.

Characters & Entities

• Akampana
• Rāvaṇa (Daśagrīva)

FAQs

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

It underscores the reality that tyranny and uncontrolled anger create fear even among one’s own allies; dharma-based leadership inspires trust, not trembling submission.

What is the narrative situation?

Akampana, having delivered alarming news, faces Rāvaṇa’s rage and seeks assurance of safety before continuing.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Akampana’s prudence and self-preservation; he resorts to respectful gesture (añjali) to avert danger.