Shloka 4.48.11

विन्ध्यगुहाविचयः — Searching the Vindhya Caves and the Cursed Forest (Southern Search)

Devanagari script

न यत्रवृक्षा नौषध्यो न वल्ल्यो नापि वीरुधः।।4.48.10।।स्निग्धपत्रास्स्थले यत्र पद्मिन्यः फुल्लपङ्कजाः।प्रेक्षणीयास्सुगन्धाश्च भ्रमरैश्चापिवर्जिताः।।4.48.11।।

Transliteration

snigdhapatrāḥ sthale yatra padminyaḥ phullapaṅkajāḥ | prekṣaṇīyāḥ sugandhāś ca bhramaraiś cāpi varjitāḥ || 4.48.11 ||

Translation

There, on dry ground, lotus-plants with glossy leaves bore fully blossomed lotuses—beautiful and fragrant, yet strangely devoid of bees.

Context

There were no medicinal plants, no vines or creepers spreading on the ground.The lotus creepers on the dry ground had shining leaves,beautiful and fragrant blooms devoid of bees.

Characters & Entities

• Lotus (padma/paṅkaja)
• Bees (bhramara)
• Cursed forest region (implicit)

FAQs

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

The verse reinforces that when dharmic balance is disturbed (here by a curse), even what appears beautiful can lose its natural harmony—symbolized by flowers without bees.

What is the narrative situation?

The party observes uncanny features of the forest: lotuses bloom on dry land, but the ecosystem is unnaturally silent and empty.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Attentiveness (samādhāna): careful noticing of signs in the environment while pursuing the mission.