Shloka 4.30.41

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

Devanagari script

वित्रास्य कारण्डवचक्रवाकान्महारवैर्भिन्नकटा गजेन्द्राः।सरस्सु बद्धाम्बुजभूषणेषुविक्षोभ्य विक्षोभ्य जलं पिबन्ति।।

Transliteration

vitrāsya kāraṇḍavacakravākān mahāravair bhinnakaṭā gajendrāḥ | sarassu baddhāmbujabhūṣaṇeṣu vikṣobhya vikṣobhya jalaṃ pibanti ||

Translation

Great elephants in rut, with loud trumpeting, terrify the ducks and cakravāka birds; in lotus-adorned lakes they churn the water again and again and then drink.

Context

'Excellent elephants in rut, with ichor exuding from their temples trumpet, frightening the ducks and chakravaka birds in the water. Strirring the water in the lakes, ornamented with lotuses, they drink it.

Characters & Entities

• gajendra (great elephant)
• kāraṇḍava birds (ducks)
• cakravāka birds
• lakes (saras)
• lotuses (ambuja)

FAQs

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

It illustrates how unchecked power can unsettle the weak; Dharmic strength protects rather than terrorizes, even when one is capable of domination.

What is the narrative situation?

A naturalistic scene in autumn: rutting elephants loudly dominate lotus-lakes, scattering waterbirds.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Implied ideal: compassion and restraint in the use of strength.