Shloka 2.55.8

चित्रकूटमार्गोपदेशः — Instructions for the Chitrakuta Route and the Yamuna Crossing

Devanagari script

समासाद्य तु तं वृक्षं वसेद्वातिक्रमेत वा।क्रोशमात्रं ततो गत्वा नीलं द्रक्ष्यथ काननम्।।।।पलाशबदरीमिश्रं रम्यं वंशैश्च यामुनैः।

Transliteration

samāsādya tu taṃ vṛkṣaṃ vased vātikrameta vā | krośamātraṃ tato gatvā nīlaṃ drakṣyatha kānanam || palāśabadarīmiśraṃ ramyaṃ vaṃśaiś ca yāmunaiḥ ||

Translation

After reaching that tree, you may rest there or pass on. Going a single krośa beyond it, you will see a lovely, dark forest, mingled with palāśa and badarī trees, and with bamboos along the banks of the Yamunā.

Context

Reaching that tree, you may tarry or proceed further. A krosa from there, you will see a beautiful forest filled with dark trees mixed with Palasas and badaris and bamboos on the Yamuna.

Characters & Entities

• nyagrodha (implied: that tree)
• krośa (distance measure)
• kānana (forest)
• palāśa
• badarī
• vaṃśa (bamboo)
• Yamunā (regional descriptor)

FAQs

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

Dharma is expressed as mindful travel and restraint: resting when needed and moving on when appropriate—choosing actions that protect one’s dependents and sustain the larger vow of exile.

What is the narrative situation?

Guha gives practical landmarks and distances: a rest-point at a tree and, one krośa ahead, a distinctive forest by the Yamunā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steady endurance (dhṛti) supported by practical discernment in the journey.