Shloka 105

पम्पा

तीर-वर्णनम् / Rama’s Lament at Pampa and the Approach to Rishyamuka

Devanagari script

श्यामा पद्मपलाशाक्षी प्रिया विरहिता मया।कथं धारयति प्राणान्विवशा जनकात्मजा।।।।

Transliteration

śyāmā padmapalāśākṣī priyā virahitā mayā | kathaṃ dhārayati prāṇān vivaśā janakātmajā ||

Translation

阇那迦之女——肤色如青莲，眼若莲瓣，吾所挚爱——既与我离别，悲苦无依，又怎能支撑其生命之息？

Word by Word

• śyāmā: the dark-complexioned lady
• śyāmā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śyāmā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• padmapalāśākṣī: lotus-petal-eyed
• padmapalāśākṣī: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: padma (प्रातिपदिक) + palāśa (प्रातिपदिक) + akṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); bahuvrīhi: 'she whose eyes are like lotus-petals'

• priyā: beloved (wife)
• priyā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: priyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• virahitā: separated
• virahitā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: virahita (कृदन्त; vi-√rah (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with subject (Sītā)

• mayā: by me / from me
• mayā: Karana (करण/Instrument/Agent in passive sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• katham: how
• katham: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Interrogative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: katham (अव्यय)
• Form: Interrogative adverb (प्रश्नवाचक अव्यय)

• dhārayati: holds, sustains
• dhārayati: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dhṛ (धातु)
• Form: Lakāra: Laṭ (लट्/Present), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person/प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); Parasmaipada

• prāṇān: life-breaths, life
• prāṇān: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• vivaśā: helpless, distraught
• vivaśā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vivaśā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with subject

• janakātmajā: Janaka’s daughter
• janakātmajā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janaka (प्रातिपदिक) + ātmajā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: 'daughter of Janaka'

Context

'How can Janaka's daughter with eyes like lotus petals, so young and loving, sustain her life? Away from me, she must be feeling quite dejected.

Characters & Entities

• Sita (Janakatmaja/Vaidehi)
• Janaka

FAQs

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

The verse highlights marital fidelity and responsibility: Rama’s dharma is not mere kingship but steadfast duty toward Sita; his grief underscores the ethical seriousness of separation and protection owed to one’s spouse.

What is the narrative situation?

After Sita’s abduction, Rama laments to Lakshmana, imagining Sita’s suffering and questioning how she can endure without him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s compassion and unwavering devotion (anurāga) to Sita, expressed as concern for her very survival.