Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 25, Shloka 26

वालिनः और्ध्वदैहिकम्

Vali’s Funeral Rites and the Consolation of the Bereaved

Devanagari script

ईदृशीं शिबिकां दृष्ट्वा रामो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्।क्षिप्रं विनीयतां वाली प्रेतकार्यं विधीयताम्4.25.26।।

Transliteration

divyāṃ bhadrāsanayutāṃ śibikāṃ syandanopamām | pakṣikarmabhir ācitrāṃ drumakarmavibhūṣitām || 4.25.22 ||

ācitāṃ citrapattībhiḥ suniviṣṭāṃ samantataḥ | vimānam iva siddhānāṃ jālavātāyanānvitām || 4.25.23 ||

suniyuktāṃ viśālāṃ ca sukṛtāṃ viśvakarmaṇā | dāruparvatakopetāṃ cārukarmapariṣkṛtām || 4.25.24 ||

varābharaṇahāraiś ca citramālyopaśobhitām | guhāgahanasañchannāṃ raktacandanabhūṣitām || 4.25.25 ||

Translation

一乘奇妙的肩舆被抬来——设有吉祥的座位，宛如战车；其上雕刻飞鸟纹饰，又以树木图案装点。四周覆以绚丽彩板，仿佛成就者（悉地者）之天车（vimāna），并设有格栅窗牖。它宽阔而榫合精良，宛若毗湿瓦羯摩所造；又以如木山般的雕饰与精致纹样加以润饰。其上辉映上等珠宝与项链，缀以华美花鬘；并有如洞窟与密林般的装饰凹处，且涂抹红檀香（赤旃檀）之香膏。

Word by Word

• आज्ञापयत्: ordered
• आज्ञापयत्: क्रिया
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपद; प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; causative stem ‘ordered’

• तदा: then
• तदा: कालाधिकरण
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक

• राजा: the king
• राजा: कर्ता
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सुग्रीवः: Sugriva
• सुग्रीवः: कर्ता (Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुग्रीव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; राज्ञः विशेषण/अपपद-सम्बन्ध

• प्लवगेश्वरः: lord of monkeys
• प्लवगेश्वरः: कर्ता (Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्लवग + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: प्लवगानाम् ईश्वरः ‘lord of monkeys’; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सुग्रीवस्य विशेषणम्

• और्ध्वदैहिकम्: funeral rites
• और्ध्वदैहिकम्: कर्म
• Type: Noun
• Root: और्ध्वदैहिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: ऊर्ध्वं देहात् (post-body) सम्बन्धि; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘funeral rite’

• आर्यस्य: of the noble one
• आर्यस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• क्रियताम्: let (it) be done
• क्रियताम्: आज्ञार्थक क्रिया
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), कर्मणि-प्रयोग (Passive); प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; ‘let it be done’

• अनुरूपतः: appropriately
• अनुरूपतः: क्रियाविशेषण
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अनुरूपतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb) ‘appropriately/in a fitting manner’

Context

A swift-moving, marvellous palanquin designed by Viswakarma was brought. Covered with colourful pictures of birds and trees on every side it looking like an aerial chariot fit for saints. Fitted with a splendid seat grilled windows, artificially made small caverns and grottos of wood was embellished with carvings of mountains, choice ornaments and garlands. With red sandal paste, red scented flowers and red lotus garlands, it resembled the rising Sun.

Characters & Entities

• Śibikā (palanquin)
• Viśvakarmā
• Siddhas (as comparison)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes honoring the dead with dignity: the careful, beautiful preparation of the palanquin reflects respect for proper rites (antyeṣṭi) and social order.

What is the narrative situation?

A richly crafted palanquin is brought out as part of the preparations to carry Vāli’s body for the final rites.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence and propriety (maryādā): the community ensures that even amid conflict, funeral duties are performed with honor.