Shloka 5

Devanagari script

वायुर्वेगेन महता रथस्य पुरतो ववौ । कुर्वन्नि:शर्करं मार्ग विरजस्कमकण्टकम्‌,उनके रथके आगे बड़े वेगसे हवा आती और रास्तेकी धूल, कंकण तथा काँटोंको उड़ाकर अलग कर देती थी

Transliteration

vāyur vegena mahatā rathasya purato vavau | kurvann iḥśarkaraṁ mārgaṁ virajaskam akaṇṭakam ||

Translation

Vaiśaṃpāyana said: A mighty wind blew swiftly in front of the chariot, clearing the road—sweeping away gravel, lifting the dust, and removing thorns—so that the path became clean, smooth, and unobstructed. The scene underscores a providential ease granted to the journey, as if nature itself cooperated to ensure unhindered progress.

Word by Word

वायुःwind

वेगेनwith speed

महताgreat (i.e., very strong)

रथस्यof the chariot

पुरतःin front (of)

ववौblew

कुर्वन्making, rendering

निःशर्करम्free from gravel/pebbles

मार्गम्the road/path

विरजस्कम्dustless

अकण्टकम्thornless

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśaṃpāyana

vāyu (wind)

ratha (chariot)

mārga (road/path)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse conveys the idea of an auspicious, unhindered course: when a mission is aligned with rightful purpose, obstacles diminish and even the natural world appears to assist, symbolizing protection and orderly progress.

What is happening in the narrative?

A strong wind blows ahead of a chariot, clearing the road of dust, gravel, and thorns, making the path smooth and safe for travel.