Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 4, Shloka 14

समुद्रतट-प्रयाणम् तथा वेलावन-निवेशः

March to the Seacoast and Encampment at the Shore

Devanagari script

सागरौघनिभं भीममग्रानीकं महाबलाः ।कपिसिंहाः प्रकर्षस्तु शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ।।।।

Transliteration

sāgaraughanibhaṃ bhīmamagrānīkaṃ mahābalāḥ |

kapisiṃhāḥ prakarṣastu śataśo ’tha sahasraśaḥ ||

Translation

成百上千的强大猿狮，挺进于军阵之先——凶猛无畏，奔涌如大海涨潮的巨浪。

Word by Word

• sāgara-ogha-nibham: like an ocean-flood
• sāgara-ogha-nibham: Karma (कर्म/object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sāgara (प्रातिपदिक) + ogha (प्रातिपदिक) + nibha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—तत्पुरुष: sāgarasya ogha iva (like an ocean-flood); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; अग्रानीकस्य विशेषणम्

• bhīmam: terrible
• bhīmam: Karma (कर्म/object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhīma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अग्रानीकस्य विशेषणम्

• agrānīkam: vanguard
• agrānīkam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agra-anīka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—तत्पुरुष: agrasya anīkam (front division/vanguard); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• mahābalāḥ: very strong
• mahābalāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā-bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—कर्मधारय: mahad balaṃ yeṣām; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन; कपिसिंहानां विशेषणम्

• kapi-siṃhāḥ: lion-like Vānaras
• kapi-siṃhāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kapi (प्रातिपदिक) + siṃha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—कर्मधारय: kapīnāṃ siṃhā iva (lions among monkeys); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• prakarṣaḥ: in force / in a strong drive
• prakarṣaḥ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/manner)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prakarṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणार्थे (as a manner/force)

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle)

• śataśaḥ: by hundreds
• śataśaḥ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śataśaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार/परिमाणवाचक-अव्यय (distributive adverb): by hundreds

• atha: and then
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक/समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (then/and)

• sahasraśaḥ: by thousands
• sahasraśaḥ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sahasraśaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार/परिमाणवाचक-अव्यय (distributive adverb): by thousands

Context

The waves of the ocean striking each other making frightening sounds like the blowing of war horns seemed as if challenging each other.

Characters & Entities

• Sāgara (ocean)
• Vanara army

FAQs

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

Dharma is upheld through collective commitment: many individuals align their strength toward a righteous cause, moving as one disciplined force.

What is the narrative situation?

The text describes the vanara vanguard marching in massive numbers as the expedition nears the sea.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Heroic solidarity—courage amplified through unity and coordinated action.