Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 13, Shloka 10

Saptajana-āśrama Darśana and the Approach to Kiṣkindhā

Hermitage of Seven Sages; March toward Vāli’s Capital

Devanagari script

तटाकवैरिणश्चापि शुक्लदन्तविभूषितान्।घोरानेकचरान्वन्यान्द्विरदान्कूलघातिनः।।

Transliteration

taṭākavairiṇaś cāpi śukladantavibhūṣitān | ghorān ekacarān vanyān dviradān kūlaghātinaḥ || 4.13.10 ||

Translation

他们看见野象——可怖而独行的游荡者——以洁白象牙为饰，仿佛池塘之敌，摧裂河岸之猛兽。

Word by Word

• तटाकवैरिणः: destroyers/enemies of tanks (ponds)
• तटाकवैरिणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तटाक-वैरिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण (adjectival)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; additive/emphatic)

• शुक्लदन्तविभूषितान्: adorned with white tusks
• शुक्लदन्तविभूषितान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुक्ल-दन्त-विभूषित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √भूष् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle) used adjectivally

• घोरान्: terrific
• घोरान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• एकचरान्: solitary; wandering alone
• एकचरान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक-चर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• वन्यान्: wild; of the forest
• वन्यान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• द्विरदान्: elephants (two-tusked)
• द्विरदान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वि-रद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• कूलघातिनः: destroyers of the banks
• कूलघातिनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कूल-घातिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण

Context

Observing terrific elephants adorned with white tusks wandering alone destroying the tanks, shattering the banks.

Characters & Entities

• Elephants (dvirada)
• Forest (vana)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes attentive conduct in the world: the journey is not reckless conquest but mindful passage through living ecosystems—recognizing power (elephants) and respecting boundaries.

What is the narrative situation?

As the party advances, the poet describes formidable wild elephants encountered in the forest landscape.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Saṁyama (self-control) and vigilance—moving through danger without needless violence.