Shloka 4.40.20

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

Devanagari script

नदीं भागीरथीं रम्यां सरयूं कौशिकीं तथा।।4.40.20।।कालिन्दीं यमुनां रम्यां यामुनं च महागिरिम्।सरस्वतीं च सिन्धुं च शोणं मणिनिभोदकम्।।4.40.21।।महीं कालमहीं चैव शैलकाननशोभिताम्।ब्रह्ममालान्विदेहांश्च मालवान्कालिकोसलान्।।4.40.22।।मागधांश्च महाग्रामान्पुण्ड्रांन्वङ्गां स्तथैव च।पत्तनं कोशकाराणां भूमिं च रजताकराम्।।4.40.23।।

Transliteration

nadīṃ bhāgīrathīṃ ramyāṃ sarayūṃ kauśikīṃ tathā ||4.40.20||

Translation

Search for Sītā along the lovely Bhāgīrathī, and likewise on the Sarayū and the Kauśikī.

Context

'Look for Sita in the beautiful places on rivers Bhagirathi, Sarayu, Kausiki and Kalindi, on the great mountains adjacent to river Yamuna, banks of rivers Saraswati, Sindhu, Sona with crystal-clear waters, the country of Mahim and Kalamahi adorned with mountains and forests. Proceed to Brahmamala, Videha, Malava, Kasi, Kosala and Maghada with great villages, the country of Pundram, Vanga, the country famous for silk worms and the land with silver caves. (It is the eastern direction of river Saravati between Himavat and Vindhya and not east of Kiskinda)

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Bhāgīrathī
• Sarayū
• Kauśikī

FAQs

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

Dharma here is faithful execution of an entrusted mission: the searchers must diligently cover specified regions without negligence.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva assigns directions and landmarks to vānara parties so they can systematically search for Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Organized leadership and responsibility—Sugrīva gives concrete geography to ensure thorough, truthful effort (satya-niṣṭhā) in service of Rāma.