Shloka 39

सागरप्रशमनम् / The Pacification of the Ocean and the Building of Nala’s Bridge

Devanagari script

विख्यातंत्रिषुलोकेषुमधुकान्तारमेवतत् ।।।।मोक्षयित्वाततःकुक्षिंरामोदशरथात्मजः ।वरंतस्मैददौविद्वान्मरवेऽमरविक्रमः ।।।।

Transliteration

vikhyātaṃ triṣu lokeṣu madhukāntāram eva tat |

mokṣayitvā tataḥ kukṣiṃ rāmo daśarathātmajaḥ |

varaṃ tasmai dadau vidvān marave 'maravikramaḥ ||

Translation

Jenes Gebiet, Madhukāntāra genannt, war in den drei Welten berühmt. Dann gewährte Rāma, Daśarathas gelehrter Sohn, von göttergleicher Tapferkeit, nachdem er die Erdvertiefungen befreit und geleert hatte, Maru einen Segen.

Word by Word

विख्यातम्well-known; renowned

त्रिषुin three

लोकेषुworlds

मधुकान्तारम्Madhu-kāntāra (a forest tract)

एवindeed; precisely

तत्that (place)

मोक्षयित्वाhaving released; having let (it) go

ततःthereafter

कुक्षिम्the cavity; hollow

रामःRama

दशरथात्मजःson of Dasharatha

वरम्a boon

तस्मैto him; to that (place/person)

ददौgave

विद्वान्learned; wise

मरवेto the desert (region)

अमरविक्रमःof god-like prowess

Context

Marukantaram is famous in the three worlds. Dasaratha's Rama, who is learned and has the valour of gods made the cavities dry and gave a boon.

Characters & Entities

Madhukāntāra

Rāma

Daśaratha

Maru

Three worlds (trailokya)

FAQs

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

Dharma is benevolent governance: power is used not merely to subdue a problem but to confer lasting welfare through a boon that improves the land and its future.

What is the narrative situation?

After controlling the dangerous subterranean waters, Rāma grants a boon to the region called Maru; the place is described as famous across the three worlds.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vidvat (wise discernment) joined with valor: Rāma’s strength is guided by knowledge and a commitment to lasting good.