Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 4, Shloka 112

समुद्रतट-प्रयाणम् तथा वेलावन-निवेशः

March to the Seacoast and Encampment at the Shore

Devanagari script

दूरपारमसम्बाधं रक्षोगणनिषेवितम् ।पश्यन्तो वरुणावासं निषेदुर्हरियूथपाः ।।।।

Transliteration

dūrapāram asambādhaṃ rakṣogaṇaniṣevitam |

paśyanto varuṇāvāsaṃ niṣedur hariyūthapāḥ ||

Translation

众首领凝望伐楼那之海：彼岸遥远，水域无碍绵延，又为罗刹群所出没；于是婆那罗诸军长坐下商议。

Word by Word

• dūra-pāram: having a far shore
• dūra-pāram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dūra (प्रातिपदिक) + pāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; karmadhāraya qualifying varuṇāvāsam

• asambādham: unobstructed/impassable
• asambādham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-sambādha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; qualifying varuṇāvāsam

• rakṣo-gaṇa-niṣevitam: frequented/inhabited by hosts of rakshasas
• rakṣo-gaṇa-niṣevitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rakṣas (प्रातिपदिक) + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ni-√sev (धातु)
• Form: Neuter, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: 'rakṣogaṇaiḥ niṣevitam' (P.P.P. kta) qualifying varuṇāvāsam

• paśyantaḥ: seeing
• paśyantaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; agrees with hari-yūthapāḥ

• varuṇāvāsam: Varuna's abode (the sea)
• varuṇāvāsam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varuṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + āvāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: 'varuṇasya āvāsaḥ' = 'abode of Varuṇa (sea)'

• niṣeduḥ: sat down/settled
• niṣeduḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-√sad (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्/Perfect), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Bahuvacana, Parasmaipada

• hari-yūthapāḥ: monkey troop-leaders
• hari-yūthapāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक) + yūthapa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa: 'harīṇāṃ yūthapāḥ' = 'leaders of monkey troops'

Context

On seeing the expansive ocean, the vanara army thought 'how to cross the abode of rain god whose shores are far away and not connected and is protected by rakshasas'?

Characters & Entities

• Varuṇa
• Ocean (Varuṇāvāsa)
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Dharma includes wise action: pausing to assess reality and consult before acting. Righteous goals are pursued through discernment (viveka), not rashness.

What is the narrative situation?

The vanara leaders, seeing the immense ocean and the threat of rākṣasa presence, halt and consider how the army can cross.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence and responsible leadership—commanders weigh risks and plan rather than forcing the troops into danger blindly.