Shloka 17

किष्किन्धाप्रवेशः—लक्ष्मणस्य कोपः, तारासान्त्वम्, सुग्रीवदर्शनम्

Lakshmana Enters Kishkindha: Anger, Tara’s Mediation, and Sugriva Encountered

Devanagari script

पाण्डुरेण तु सालेन परिक्षिप्तं दुरासदम्।वानरेन्द्रगृहं रम्यं महेन्द्रसदनोपमम्।।4.33.14।।शुक्लैः प्रासादशिखरैः कैलासशिखरोपमैः।सर्वकामफलैर्वृक्षैः पुष्पितैरुपशोभितम्।।4.33.15।।महेन्द्रदत्तैश्श्रीमद्भिर्नीलजीमूतसन्निभैः।दिव्यपुष्पफलैर्वृक्षैशीतच्छायैर्मनोरमैः।।4.33.16।।हरिभिस्संवृतद्वारं बलिभिश्शस्त्रपाणिभिः।दिव्यमाल्यावृतं शुभ्रं तप्तकाञ्चनतोरणम्।।4.33.17।।सुग्रीवस्य गृहं रम्यं प्रविवेश महाबलः।अवार्यमाणस्सौमित्रिर्महाभ्रमिव भास्करः।।4.33.18।।

Transliteration

haribhissaṃvṛtadvāraṃ balibhiśśastrapāṇibhiḥ |

divyamālyāvṛtaṃ śubhraṃ taptakāñcanatoraṇam ||4.33.17||

Translation

门阙被群猴环卫，皆是勇健战士，手执兵刃。门楼洁白辉耀，缀以天界花鬘，并立着精炼赤金所铸、灼然闪耀的金色拱门。

Word by Word

• हरिभिः: by/with the monkeys
• हरिभिः: करणम् (instrument/agent-associate in passive description)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिकम्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः; तृतीया-विभक्तिः; बहुवचनम् (masculine; instrumental case; plural)

• संवृत: enclosed/surrounded
• संवृत: विशेषणम् (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + √वृ (धातु) → संवृत (कृदन्तः, क्त-प्रत्ययः)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्तः (past passive participle, kta); नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम् (agreeing with द्वारम्)

• द्वारम्: door/entrance
• द्वारम्: कर्म (object described)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वार (प्रातिपदिकम्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः; द्वितीया-विभक्तिः; एकवचनम् (neuter; accusative; singular)

• बलिभिः: by/with the strong (ones)
• बलिभिः: करणम् (instrument/agent-associate in passive description)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलिन् (प्रातिपदिकम्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः; तृतीया-विभक्तिः; बहुवचनम् (masculine; instrumental; plural)

• शस्त्रपाणिभिः: by/with those having weapons in hand
• शस्त्रपाणिभिः: करणम् (instrument/agent-associate in passive description)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शस्त्र + पाणि (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (शस्त्राणि पाणौ येषाम्/शस्त्रं पाणौ—‘weapon-in-hand’); पुंलिङ्गः; तृतीया-विभक्तिः; बहुवचनम् (masculine; instrumental; plural)

• दिव्य: divine/splendid
• दिव्य: विशेषणम् (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिव्य (प्रातिपदिकम्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम् (agreeing with तोरणम्)

• माल्यावृतम्: covered/adorned with garlands
• माल्यावृतम्: विशेषणम् (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: माल्य + आवृत (सम् + आ + √वृ (धातु) → आवृत, क्त)
• Form: तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः/उपपद-समासः (माल्येन आवृतम् ‘covered with garlands’); भूतकर्मणि कृदन्तः (kta); नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम् (agreeing with तोरणम्)

• शुभ्रम्: bright/white
• शुभ्रम्: विशेषणम् (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ्र (प्रातिपदिकम्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम् (agreeing with तोरणम्)

• तप्तकाञ्चनतोरणम्: a torana (arch/door-ornament) of polished gold
• तप्तकाञ्चनतोरणम्: कर्म (object described)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तप्त + काञ्चन + तोरण (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समासः (तप्तं काञ्चनं यस्य तत्—‘of heated/polished gold’ + तोरणम्); नपुंसकलिङ्गः; द्वितीया-विभक्तिः; एकवचनम् (neuter; accusative; singular)

Context

The abode of Sugriva was encircled by a white rampart and unapproachable.It was enchanting like the abode of Indra. The mansion tops were like the white peaks of Kailas mountain filled with blossoming trees which could yield all kinds of fruits to suit one's taste. The trees were huge like dark clouds, cool and shady with wonderful flowers in full bloom, the riches gifted by Indra, were delightful. The entrance was guarded by mighty monkeys holding weapons in hand. It had a golden archway at the entrance decorated with wonderful garlands and strings of golden flowers. Saumitri of great prowess entered the rich abode of Sugriva just as the Sun enters huge clouds unobstructed.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Hari (Vānara guards)
• Śastra

FAQs

What dharmic idea is suggested by the heavily guarded, orderly gateway?

It reflects rājadharma: a ruler’s home and realm are protected by disciplined strength, where power is exercised as guardianship rather than lawlessness.

How does this verse connect to Satya (truth) in the narrative context?

The description frames Sugrīva’s court as a stable, legitimate seat of authority—supporting the truthful alliance and pledged commitments between Rāma and Sugrīva that depend on order and reliability.