Shloka 4.40.18

पूर्वदिशि सीतामार्गण-नियोगः (Deployment to the Eastern Quarter for the Search of Sita)

Devanagari script

सोमसूर्यात्मजै स्सार्धं वानरैर्वानरोत्तम।।4.40.17।।देशकालनयैर्युक्तः कार्या कार्यविनिश्चये।वृतश्शतसहश्रेण वानराणां तरस्विनाम्।।4.40.18।।अधिगच्छ दिशं पूर्वां सशैलवनकाननाम्।

Transliteration

soma-sūryātmajaiḥ sārdhaṃ vānarair vānarottama || 4.40.17 ||

deśa-kāla-nayair yuktaḥ kāryaḥ kārya-viniścaye |

vṛtaḥ śata-sahasreṇa vānarāṇāṃ tarasvinām || 4.40.18 ||

adhigaccha diśaṃ pūrvāṃ sa-śaila-vana-kānanām |

Translation

O best of Vānaras, set forth eastward—into the region of mountains, forests, and groves—together with the sons of the Moon and Sun, accompanied by a hundred thousand swift monkeys. Endowed with sound counsel suited to place and time, you are fit to determine what should be done.

Context

'O foremost of the vanaras march forward with the sons of Moon and Sun, followed by one lakh swift monkeys towards the eastern direction full of mountains, gardens, and forests. Endowed with political wisdom, you are capable of taking right decision in accordance with time and place.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Vinata
• Sons of Moon (Soma-putrāḥ)
• Sons of Sun (Sūrya-putrāḥ)
• Eastern direction (pūrvā diś)

FAQs

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

Dharma is effective service to a righteous cause: Sugrīva emphasizes disciplined effort guided by naya (sound strategy) and kāla (right timing), ensuring that zeal is aligned with wisdom.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva dispatches Vinata with a massive eastern search-party, specifying companions, numbers, and the terrain to be covered in the hunt for Sītā and clues to Rāvaṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Strategic leadership—Sugrīva selects a competent commander and stresses decision-making suited to time and place.