Shloka 1.39.15

सगरयज्ञाश्वहरणम् — The Stolen Sacrificial Horse of Sagara

Devanagari script

दीक्षित: पौत्रसहितस्सोपाध्यायगणो ह्यहम्।इह स्थास्यामि भद्रं वो यावत्तुरगदर्शनम्।।1.39.15।।

Transliteration

ēkaika-yojanaṁ putrā vistāram adhigacchata |

yāvat turaga-sandarśaḥ tāvat khanata medinīm |

taṁ caiva haya-hartāraṁ mārgamāṇā mamājñayā ||1.39.14||

Translation

Sons, cover the land systematically, yojana by yojana. Until the horse is sighted, dig into the earth; and, by my command, search out that very thief who stole the sacrificial horse.

Context

'Having been initiated into the sacrifice, I, along with my grandson, Anshuman and other spiritual preceptors will stay here till such time the horse is found. May you be safe!'

Characters & Entities

• Sagara
• sacrificial horse (turaga/haya)
• horse-thief (haya-hartṛ)
• earth (medinī)
• yojana (measure)

FAQs

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

Dharma is disciplined action in service of a sacred obligation: the king demands thorough, methodical effort to restore the rite’s integrity—though the later narrative warns that zeal without restraint can become adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Sagara issues operational instructions for the search: divide the land into measured sections, excavate as needed, and find the horse and the thief.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Resolve and administrative clarity—Sagara provides concrete, measurable steps rather than vague exhortation.