Shloka 2

Devanagari script

तदन्तःपुरद्वारं समतीत्य जनाकुलम्।प्रविविक्तां ततः कक्ष्यामाससाद पुराणवित्।।2.16.1।।प्रासकार्मुकबिभ्रद्भिर्युवभिर्मृष्टकुण्डलैः।अप्रमादिभिरेकाग्रै स्स्वनुरक्तैरधिष्ठिताम्।।2.16.2।।

Transliteration

prāsakārmukabibhradbhir yuvabhir mṛṣṭakuṇḍalaiḥ |

apramādibhir ekāgraiḥ svanuraktair adhiṣṭhitām || 2.16.2 ||

Translation

Sie wurde bewacht von jungen Männern mit glänzenden Ohrringen, wachsam und ganz auf ein Ziel gerichtet, ihrem Herrn ergeben, Speere und Bögen tragend.

Word by Word

• tatra: there
• tatra: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देशाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (देशवाचक)

• kāṣāyiṇaḥ: ochre-robed
• kāṣāyiṇaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāṣāyin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; 'wearing ochre robes' qualifying वृद्धान्

• vṛddhān: elderly men
• vṛddhān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• vetra-pāṇīn: with canes in hand
• vetra-pāṇīn: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vetra + pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; tatpuruṣa: 'having a cane in hand'

• svalaṅkṛtān: well-adorned
• svalaṅkṛtān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su + alaṅkṛta (कृदन्त; √kṛ/alaṅkṛ)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; PPP (क्त); avyayībhāva: सु- + अलङ्कृत

• dadarśa: saw
• dadarśa: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

• viṣṭhitān: stationed
• viṣṭhitān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi + √sthā (धातु)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; PPP (क्त): 'stationed/posted'

• dvāri: at the door
• dvāri: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvār (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; (द्वारि)

• stry-adhyakṣān: female-quarters guards/superintendents
• stry-adhyakṣān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: strī + adhyakṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; tatpuruṣa: 'superintendents of women’s quarters'

• su-samāhitān: well-composed/fully attentive
• su-samāhitān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su + samāhita (कृदन्त; √dhā with sam-ā)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; PPP (क्त); avyayībhāva: सु- + समाहित (composed/attentive)

Context

Sumantra, who was conversant with ancient traditions, passed through the entrance of the inner apartment full of people and reached the sparsely crowded courtyard. There alert, loyal young men were attentively guarding the frontyard, armed with spears and bows and wearing shining earrings.

Characters & Entities

• Sumantra
• antaḥpura (inner apartments)

FAQs

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

Dharma here appears as disciplined royal service: vigilant protection carried out with devotion and focus, reflecting the king’s orderly governance and the attendants’ duty.

What is the narrative situation?

As Sumantra proceeds within the royal residence, the text describes the guarded inner precincts—young guards stationed with weapons and attentive posture.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The guards’ apramāda (vigilance) and ekāgratā (focused attention), joined with loyalty to their rightful lord.