Shloka 3

द्वादशः सर्गः — Rama’s Proof of Power, the First Duel, and the Identification Mark

Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 12

Devanagari script

स विसृष्टो बलवता बाणस्स्वर्णपरिष्कृतः।भित्त्वा सालान् गिरिप्रस्थं सप्त भूमिं विवेश ह4.12.3।।

Transliteration

sa visṛṣṭo balavatā bāṇaḥ svarṇa-pariṣkṛtaḥ |

bhittvā sālān giriprasthaṁ sapta bhūmiṁ viveśa ha || 4.12.3 ||

Translation

那支饰以黄金的利箭以巨力射出，贯穿七株娑罗树，穿透山崖之面，直入大地之中。

Word by Word

• saḥ: that (arrow)
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• visṛṣṭaḥ: released
• visṛṣṭaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-√sṛj (सृज्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past participle)

• balavatā: with force/by the strong one
• balavatā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: balavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन; विशेषण (instrumental: 'forcefully')

• bāṇaḥ: arrow
• bāṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• svarṇa-pariṣkṛtaḥ: adorned with gold
• svarṇa-pariṣkṛtaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svarṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + pariṣkṛta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; pari-√kṛ कृ)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (स्वर्णेन परिष्कृतः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त

• bhittvā: having split/pierced
• bhittvā: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhid (भिद्)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund)

• sālān: sāla trees
• sālān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), बहुवचन

• giri-prastham: mountain-slope/rocky ground
• giri-prastham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: giri (प्रातिपदिक) + prastha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (गिरेः प्रस्थम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• sapta: seven
• sapta: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sapta (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्या; द्वितीया-सम्बन्धे 'सप्त (भूमिम्)'

• bhūmim: earth/ground
• bhūmim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūmi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• viveśa: entered
• viveśa: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√viś (विश्)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्षभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• ha: indeed/then
• ha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ha (अव्यय)
• Form: स्मरण/वृत्तान्तसूचक-निपात (expletive particle)

Context

Released with great force, Rama's arrow embellished with gold pierced through the seven sala trees and splitting the mountain terrain entered the earth.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (implied as the archer)
• arrow (bāṇa)
• earth (bhūmi)

FAQs

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

Dharma is supported by credible assurance; extraordinary power is shown not for vanity but to establish trust for a righteous alliance.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma’s capability is demonstrated through the famous feat of piercing the seven sāla trees, strengthening Sugrīva’s confidence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s śaurya (heroic strength) used in service of a just purpose—keeping promises and protecting allies.