Shloka 4.61.1

सूर्यानुगमनवृत्तान्तः — The Account of Following the Sun

Devanagari script

ततस्तद्दारुणं कर्म दुष्करं सहसात्कृतम्।आचचक्षे मुनेस्सर्वं सूर्यानुगमनं तथा।।।।

Transliteration

tatas tad dāruṇaṃ karma duṣkaraṃ sahasāt kṛtam | ācacakṣe muneḥ sarvaṃ sūryānugamanaṃ tathā || 4.61.1 ||

Translation

Then I told the sage everything—how that harsh and difficult deed was done rashly, and likewise how I went in pursuit of the Sun.

Context

'Then I revealed everything to the sage,including the arrogant, impetuous action of rashly following the Sun (for challenging Indra).

Characters & Entities

• Sampāti
• Niśākara (sage)
• Sun (Sūrya)

FAQs

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

Dharma encourages truthful confession and learning from error: Sampāti admits rashness (‘sahasāt’) and reports the deed honestly to a moral authority (the sage).

What is the narrative situation?

In his backstory, Sampāti explains that he disclosed to sage Niśākara the reckless act connected with pursuing the Sun—setting up the explanation for his ruined condition.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Accountability—owning one’s impulsive actions and seeking understanding through truthful disclosure.