Shloka 1.39.18

सगरयज्ञाश्वहरणम् — The Stolen Sacrificial Horse of Sagara

Devanagari script

शूलैरशनिकल्पैश्च हलैश्चापि सुदारुणै:।भिद्यमाना वसुमती ननाद रघुनन्दन।।1.39.18।।

Transliteration

yojanāyāma-vistāram ekaiko dharaṇī-talam |

bibhiduḥ paruṣa-vyāghra vajra-sparśa-samair nakhaiḥ ||1.39.17||

Translation

Each of them took up a stretch of ground a yojana in extent, O tiger among men, and tore into the earth with nails as hard and sharp as a thunderbolt’s touch.

Context

O Son of the Raghus (Rama)! dreadful sounds emanated while the earth was being broken open by ploughs and lances similar to thunder-bolt.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (addressed)
• Sagara’s sons
• yojana
• earth (dharaṇī)
• vajra (thunderbolt)

FAQs

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

The verse implicitly tests dharma: immense power used in pursuit of duty can still become destructive if not moderated—strength must be governed by restraint and right judgment.

What is the narrative situation?

The princes begin an extreme search method—physically ripping and excavating the earth across assigned measured zones.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Determination and might—though the narrative foreshadows that uncontrolled force can lead to harm.