Shloka 4.40.41

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

Devanagari script

ते पतन्ति जले नित्यं सूर्यस्योदयनं प्रति।निहता ब्रह्मतेजोभिरहन्यहनि राक्षसाः।।4.40.41।।अभितप्ताश्च सूर्येण लम्बन्ते स्म पुनः पुनः।

Transliteration

te patanti jale nityaṃ sūryasyodayanaṃ prati | nihatā brahma-tejobhir ahany-ahani rākṣasāḥ || 4.40.41 ||

abhitaptāś ca sūryeṇa lambante sma punaḥ punaḥ |

Translation

At sunrise each day they fall into the water—those rākṣasas, slain day after day by the brahmanical radiance, the sacred power of mantras. Scorched by the sun’s heat, they again and again hang down once more.

Context

'Those demons keep dropping down in water at the time of Sunrise every day, by the power of Gayatri mantras recited by brahmins scorched by the heat of the Sun. Again and again they keep hanging on to the cliffs.

Characters & Entities

• Mandeha rākṣasas
• Sūrya (Sun)
• Brahma-tejas (mantra power of brāhmaṇas)

FAQs

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

Dharma is upheld by ṛta (cosmic order): destructive forces are repeatedly checked by spiritual discipline (mantra-tejas) and the regularity of nature (sunrise).

What is the narrative situation?

Sugriva explains the strange cycle of the Mandehas—falling at sunrise, being destroyed by mantra-power and sun-heat, yet reappearing to menace again.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śraddhā and respect for brahmanical discipline: the text highlights the protective efficacy of sacred recitation aligned with truth.