Shloka 4.30.39

शरत्प्रवेशे रामविलापः तथा सुग्रीवप्रमादे लक्ष्मणप्रेषणम् (Autumn’s Onset: Rama’s Lament and Lakshmana Sent to Sugriva)

Devanagari script

समन्मथं तीव्रगतानुरागाःकुलान्विता मन्दगतिं करिण्यः।मदान्वितं सम्परिवार्य यान्तंवनेषु भर्तारमनुप्रयान्ति।।

Transliteration

samanmathaṃ tīvragatānurāgāḥ kulānvitā mandagatiṃ kariṇyaḥ | madānvitaṃ samparivārya yāntaṃ vaneṣu bhartāram anuprayānti ||

Translation

Female elephants of noble breed, their love running deep and swift, encircle and follow their lord maddened by rut as he moves slowly through the forests.

Context

'The female elephants of good breed, deeply passionate, gather round and follow their intoxicated lord moving slowly through the forest.

Characters & Entities

• female elephants (kariṇī)
• forest (vana)

FAQs

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

It reflects loyalty and following one’s leader/mate, but also hints that attachment can gather around intoxicated power; Dharma asks for loyalty guided by discernment, not mere impulse.

What is the narrative situation?

Continuing the autumn tableau, the narration depicts elephant herds and mating-season behavior.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fidelity and steadfast following—presented as natural devotion, later mirrored in the epic’s ideals of committed companionship.