Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 25, Shloka 16

शुकसारण-चारप्रवेशः

Suka and Sāraṇa’s Espionage and Release

Devanagari script

आवामिहागतौसौम्य रावणप्रहितावुभौ ।परिज्ञातुंबलंसर्वंतवेदंरघुनन्दन:।। ।।

Transliteration

āvām ihāgatau saumya rāvaṇa-prahitāv ubhau | parijñātuṃ balaṃ sarvaṃ tavedaṃ raghunandana ||

Translation

“温和的尊者啊，我二人奉罗波那之命来到此处。罗睺族的欢喜者啊，我们前来探知你军势的全部强盛。”

Word by Word

• tasya: of him (Ravana)
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी एकवचन; genitive singular

• etau: these two
• etau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा द्विवचन; 'these two'

• rākṣasa-indrasya: of the Rakshasa-king
• rākṣasa-indrasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक) + indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (rākṣasānām indraḥ), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी एकवचन; 'of the lord of rakshasas'

• mantriṇau: ministers
• mantriṇau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantrin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा द्विवचन; nominative dual

• śuka-sāraṇau: Suka and Sarana
• śuka-sāraṇau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śuka (प्रातिपदिक) + sāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा द्विवचन; apposition to mantriṇau

• laṅkāyāḥ: from Lanka
• laṅkāyāḥ: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: laṅkā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी एकवचन; ablative singular (from Lanka)

• samanuprāptau: having come
• samanuprāptau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-anu-prāp (धातु) > samanuprāpta (कृदन्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त/PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा द्विवचन; 'having arrived'

• cārau: spies
• cārau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा द्विवचन; nominative dual

• parapurañjaya: O conqueror of enemy cities
• parapurañjaya: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक) + pura (प्रातिपदिक) + jaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सम्बोधन एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; बहुव्रीहि-समासार्थे प्रचलित उपाधि, परन्तु रूपतः तत्पुरुष-प्राय (para-pura-jaya = conqueror of enemy cities)

Context

"O noble one! We have come to you assigned by Ravana. O delight of Raghu race, thus we arrived here to know about the entire strength of your army."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Rāvaṇa
• Śuka
• Sāraṇa
• Raghu dynasty

FAQs

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

Satya as confession: they openly state their mission. Dharma here highlights that truth-speaking, even by opponents, becomes the first step toward fair treatment.

What is the narrative situation?

The captured spies admit they were sent by Rāvaṇa to assess Rāma’s military strength.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Candor under pressure—choosing truthful admission rather than continued deceit.