Shloka 4.60.17

सम्पातिवृत्तान्तः — Sampāti’s Account and the Sage Niśākara

Devanagari script

ऋषिस्तु दृष्ट्वा मां प्रीतः प्रविष्टश्चाश्रमं पुनः।मुहूर्तमात्रान्निष्क्रम्य ततः कार्यमपृच्छत।।4.60.17।।

Transliteration

tataḥ prāptam ṛṣiṃ jñātvā tāni sattvāni vai yayuḥ | praviṣṭe rājani yathā sarvaṃ sāmātyakaṃ balam || 4.60.16 ||

Translation

Then, knowing that the sage had arrived, those creatures withdrew—just as an entire army with its ministers falls back when the king enters.

Context

The sage who entered the hermitage came out again within a moment on seeing me and enquired about me affectionately:

Characters & Entities

• Ṛṣi (Niśākara, implied)
• Rājā (king, as simile)
• Balam (army, as simile)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes recognizing rightful authority: beings yield space to one whose discipline and role command reverence, just as subjects yield to a king.

What is the narrative situation?

As the sage comes in, the gathered animals disperse respectfully, and Sampāti explains it with a royal simile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respectful restraint—knowing when to step back before a superior presence.