Shloka 4.50.21

ऋक्षबिलप्रवेशः — Entry into the Rikshabilam Cave

Devanagari script

ततस्तस्मिन्बिले दुर्गे नानापादपसङ्कुले।।।।अन्योन्यं सम्परिष्वज्य जग्मुर्योजनमन्तरम्।

Transliteration

tatas tasmin bile durge nānāpādapasaṅkule |

anyonyaṁ sampariṣvajya jagmur yojanam antaram ||

Translation

Then, within that difficult cave, crowded with trees of many kinds, they clung to one another and went a yojana farther inside.

Context

Holding one another's hands, they went in for a distance of one yojana inside the cave that was densely covered with several kinds of trees.

Characters & Entities

• bila (cave)
• yojana (distance unit)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes mutual support in righteous work: community and cooperation sustain individuals when conditions are dangerous.

What is the narrative situation?

In a hard-to-navigate cave, the vānaras proceed by physically holding one another, advancing deeper.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Teamwork and loyalty—protecting companions while pursuing the shared mission.