Shloka 4.40.22

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

mahīṃ kālamahīṃ caiva śailakānanaśobhitām |

brahmamālān videhāṃś ca mālavān kālikosalān ||4.40.22||

Translation

Search also in Mahī and in Kālamahī, lands made splendid by mountains and forests; then proceed to Brahmamāla, Videha, Mālava, Kāśī, and Kosala.

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 crystalclear 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
• Mahī
• Kālamahī
• Brahmamāla
• Videha
• Mālava
• Kāśī
• Kosala

FAQs

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

Dharma is comprehensive responsibility: the mission must include even distant, forest-and-mountain regions, leaving no rightful area unsearched.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva lists further eastern territories—both natural landscapes and cultural/political regions—to guide the search.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness in service—vānara warriors are expected to endure difficult terrain for a just cause.