Shloka 1.39.21

सगरयज्ञाश्वहरणम् — The Stolen Sacrificial Horse of Sagara

Devanagari script

एवं पर्वतसम्बाधं जम्बूद्वीपं नृपात्मजा:।खनन्तो नरशार्दूल सर्वत: परिचक्रमु:।।1.39.21।।

Transliteration

śaṅkaraśvaśuro nāma himavān acalottamaḥ |

viṁdhyaparvatam āsādya nirīkṣete parasparam || 1.39.4 ||

Translation

Himavān, the foremost of mountains—known as Śaṅkara’s father-in-law—drew near the Vindhya range, and the two looked upon each other.

Context

O Foremost among men (Rama)! the princes while thus excavating Jambu dweepa, inthis way filled with mountains, moved around everywhere.

Characters & Entities

• Himavān (Himalaya)
• Vindhya
• Śaṅkara (Śiva)

FAQs

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

Dharma is implicit as order and harmony in creation: the narrative locates human ritual action within a stable cosmic geography shaped by sacred beings and places.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra describes the setting: the great mountains Himavān and Vindhya stand facing each other, framing the region where the sacrifice will occur.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not a personal virtue but a theme of “maryādā” (proper bounds): mighty forces (mountains) stand in ordered relation, foreshadowing the importance of right limits in action.