Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

तिर्यक्चसहानेक्षत्रैस्सङ्गतौचन्द्रभास्करौ ।भास्करांशुभिरादीप्तंतमसाचसमावृतम् ।।6.22.8।।चकाशेतदाकाशमुल्काशतविदीपितम् ।अन्तरिक्षाच्चनिर्घातानिर्जग्मुरतुलस्वनाः ।।6.22.9।।

Transliteration

tiryak ca saha nakṣatraiḥ saṅgatau candra-bhāskarau |

bhāskarāṃśubhir ādīptaṃ tamasā ca samāvṛtam ||

cakāśe tad ākāśam ulkā-śata-vidīpitam |

antari-kṣāc ca nirghātā nirjagmur atula-svanāḥ ||

Translation

Sonne und Mond zogen, mit den Sternen vereint, in schräger Bahn dahin. Finsternis breitete sich aus, sodass selbst die Strahlen der Sonne verhüllt waren; der Himmel leuchtete, von Hunderten von Sternschnuppen erhellt, und aus der Luft brachen Donnerschläge von unvergleichlichem Klang hervor.

Word by Word

• cakāśe: shone
• cakāśe: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kāś (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Ātmanepada

• tat: that
• tat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; qualifying ākāśam (poetic agreement)

• ākāśam: sky
• ākāśam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ākāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd), Singular; here as subject in neuter (often same form)

• ulkā-śata-vidīpitam: lit by hundreds of meteors
• ulkā-śata-vidīpitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ulkā (प्रातिपदिक) + śata (प्रातिपदिक) + vidīpita (dīp-धातु + क्त, vi-)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd), Singular; तत्पुरुष: 'ulkānāṃ śatena vidīpitam' qualifying ākāśam

• antarikṣāt: from the atmosphere/sky
• antarikṣāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: antarikṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction

• nirghātāḥ: thunderclaps
• nirghātāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nirghāta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• nirjagmuḥ: burst forth, issued
• nirjagmuḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir + gam (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन), Parasmaipada

• atula-svanāḥ: of incomparable sound
• atula-svanāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: atula (प्रातिपदिक) + svana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; बहुव्रीहि: 'atulaḥ svanaḥ yeṣām' qualifying nirghātāḥ

Context

The Sun and moon moved obliquely (from south to North) along with the stars. On account of the darkness that covered even the sun was not shining. The sky lighted by the meteors shone and unparalleled thunder shot forth.

Characters & Entities

• Sun (Bhāskara)
• Moon (Candra)
• Stars (Nakṣatras)
• Meteors (Ulkā)
• Sky (Ākāśa/Antarikṣa)

FAQs

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

Dharma is framed against cosmic order: disturbances in nature signal moral and political upheaval, urging vigilance and right action.

What is the narrative situation?

Portentous celestial phenomena—darkness, meteors, and thunder—appear as ominous signs before the impending conflict.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Alertness and discernment (nimitta-jñāna by context in the surrounding passage): recognizing signs and preparing to act rightly.