Shloka 22

राज्ञः शङ्का

प्रत्याख्यानम् (Daśaratha’s Objections to Sending Rāma) — Bala Kanda, Sarga 20

Devanagari script

देवदानवगन्धर्वा यक्षा:पतगपन्नगा:।न शक्ता रावणं सोढुं किं पुनर्मानवा युधि।।।।

Transliteration

devadānavagandharvā yakṣāḥ patagapannagāḥ | na śaktā rāvaṇaṁ soḍhuṁ kiṁ punar mānavā yudhi |

Translation

诸天、达那婆、乾闼婆、夜叉，以及飞鸟与蛇类，都无法在战斗中承受罗波那——更何况人类？

Word by Word

• देवदानवगन्धर्वाः: gods, dānavas, and gandharvas
• देवदानवगन्धर्वाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + दानव + गन्धर्व (प्रातिपदिकानि)
• Form: समासः (द्वन्द्व): देवाः दानवाः गन्धर्वाः; पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• यक्षाः: yakṣas
• यक्षाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• पतगपन्नगाः: birds and serpents
• पतगपन्नगाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पतग + पन्नग (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: समासः (द्वन्द्व): पतगाः पन्नगाः; पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• न: not
• न: Nishedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध (negation)

• शक्ताः: able/capable
• शक्ताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्तृविशेषणम्

• रावणम्: Rāvaṇa
• रावणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रावण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• सोढुम्: to endure/bear
• सोढुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सह् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive/तुमन्त), अर्थः: 'to endure/bear'

• किम्: what (then)
• किम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: निपात/प्रश्नार्थक-अव्यय: 'what?' (here idiomatic with पुनः)

• पुनः: much more
• पुनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle/adverb): 'again; moreover' (idiom: 'how much more')

• मानवाः: men/humans
• मानवाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• युधि: in battle
• युधि: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युध् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन

Context

Gods, danavas, gandharvas, yakshas, birds and great serpents cannot withstand Ravana in battle. What are men to him? (They are no match to him).

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Devas
• Dānavas
• Gandharvas
• Yakṣas
• Pannagas (serpents)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires proportionate action: one should not endanger lives through unrealistic plans; acknowledging the scale of harm is part of responsible decision-making.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha argues that if even celestial classes cannot withstand Rāvaṇa, sending humans—especially a young prince—seems impossible.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence and protective responsibility—Daśaratha prioritizes safety and feasibility.