Shloka 3

किष्किन्धायां सुग्रीवस्य नादः

Sugriva’s War-Cry at Kishkindha

Devanagari script

ततस्स निनदं घोरं कृत्वा युद्धाय चाह्वयत्।परिवारैः परिवृतो नादैर्भिन्दन्निवाम्बरम्4.14.3।।गर्जन्निव महामेघो वायुवेगपुरस्सरः।

Transliteration

tatas sa ninadaṁ ghoraṁ kṛtvā yuddhāya cāhvayat |

parivāraiḥ parivṛto nādair bhindann ivāmbaram || 4.14.3 ||

garjann iva mahāmegho vāyuvegapurassaraḥ |

Translation

于是他被同伴簇拥，发出可怖的咆哮，向战斗发起挑战；那呼号仿佛要裂开苍穹，如同巨云轰鸣，挟风之速奔涌向前。

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb: "then"

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; pronoun referring to Sugrīva

• ninadam: roar/sound
• ninadam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ninada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• ghoram: terrible
• ghoram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ghora (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; qualifying ninadam

• kṛtvā: having made
• kṛtvā: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (कृ धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त): "having made/uttered"

• yuddhāya: for battle
• yuddhāya: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; purpose dative

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction

• āhvayat: challenged
• āhvayat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā + √hve (ह्वे धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada: "called/challenged"

• parivāraiḥ: with companions
• parivāraiḥ: Sahakāraka (सहकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parivāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• parivṛtaḥ: surrounded
• parivṛtaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari + √vṛt (वृत् धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/कृदन्त), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; predicative: "surrounded"

• nādaiḥ: with roars/sounds
• nādaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• bhindan: piercing
• bhindan: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhid (भिद् धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ/कृदन्त), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; "piercing/splitting"

• iva: as if/like
• iva: Upamā (उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, particle of comparison

• ambaram: the sky
• ambaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ambara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• garjan: roaring
• garjan: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √garj (गर्ज् धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; "roaring"

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā (उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, comparison

• mahā-meghaḥ: a huge cloud
• mahā-meghaḥ: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + megha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; Karmadhāraya: "great cloud" (upamāna)

• vāyu-vega-purassaraḥ: moving with the speed of the wind
• vāyu-vega-purassaraḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vāyu (प्रातिपदिक) + vega (प्रातिपदिक) + purassara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; Tatpuruṣa: "having the speed of wind in front/leading" = moving with wind-speed; qualifying saḥ

Context

'Proud of their own prowess, heroes will not brook the challenge of foes in battle, specially in the presence of women.'

Characters & Entities

• Sugriva
• sky (ambara)

FAQs

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

The verse frames a direct challenge as a public assertion of resolve; in dharmic conflict, confrontation is to be open and accountable (not hidden or deceitful), aligning force with declared intent.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugriva, supported by his followers, issues a battle-challenge at Kishkindha, signaling the imminent duel with Vali.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage and leadership—Sugriva acts publicly, rallying companions and taking responsibility for the challenge.