Shloka 18

पश्चिमदिशि अन्वेषणादेशः

Instructions for the Western Search Party

Devanagari script

तस्य शृङ्गं दिवस्पर्शं काञ्चनं चित्रपादपम्।।4.42.18।।सर्वमाशु विचेतव्यं कपिभिः कामरूपिभिः।

Transliteration

tasya śṛṅgaṃ divasparśaṃ kāñcanaṃ citrapādapam ||4.42.18||

sarvam āśu vicetavyaṃ kapibhiḥ kāmarūpibhiḥ |

Translation

Jenen goldenen Gipfel, der den Himmel berührt und von buntgestaltigen Bäumen erfüllt ist—lasst ihn von den Affen, die nach Belieben Gestalt annehmen können, rasch und sorgfältig ganz durchsuchen.

Word by Word

• tasya: of that (mountain)
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन)

• śṛṅgam: peak
• śṛṅgam: Karma (कर्म/द्वितीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śṛṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• divasparśam: sky-touching
• divasparśam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: divas (प्रातिपदिक) + sparśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) compound: divas-sparśa; Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• kāñcanam: golden
• kāñcanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāñcana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• citrapādapam: with variegated trees
• citrapādapam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: citra (प्रातिपदिक) + pādapa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya (कर्मधारय) compound: citra-pādapa; Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• sarvam: all (that)
• sarvam: Karma (कर्म/द्वितीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• āśu: quickly
• āśu: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: āśu (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण अव्यय)

• vicetavyam: to be searched/examined
• vicetavyam: Karma (कर्म/द्वितीया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi + √cit (चित्)
• Form: Gerundive/obligative (तव्यत्-प्रत्यय/कृदन्त), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); sense: ‘should be investigated/searched’

• kapibhiḥ: by monkeys
• kapibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kapi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन)

• kāmarūpibhiḥ: by shape-shifting (ones)
• kāmarūpibhiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāma (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) compound: kāma-rūpin (‘having forms at will’); Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन)

Context

'O monkeys! you will see the dazzling golden tip of a mountain called Pariyatra towards the end of the sea. It is extended over a hundred yojanas and dificult to gaze because of its brilliance.

FAQs

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

Dharma as prompt, capable service: when the cause is righteous, one should apply one’s best abilities (here, shape-shifting and mobility) quickly and thoroughly.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva orders an immediate and comprehensive search of the mountain peak, assigning it to capable vānara who can adapt their forms.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Dakṣatā (competence) joined with tvarā (timely action): skill must be used without delay for a just objective.