Shloka 5.1.74

समुद्रलङ्घनारम्भः — Commencement of the Ocean-Crossing

Devanagari script

तिमिनक्रझषाः कूर्मा दृश्यन्ते विवृतास्तदा।वस्त्रापकर्षणेनेव शरीराणि शरीरिणाम्।।।।

Transliteration

timinakrajhaṣāḥ kūrmā dṛśyante vivṛtās tadā | vastrāpakarṣaṇen eva śarīrāṇi śarīriṇām ||

Translation

Then whales, crocodiles, great fish, and tortoises became visible, laid bare—like the limbs of embodied beings when garments are pulled away.

Context

On account of the sea-water rising up, the whales, crocodiles, fish and tortoises laid bare like the limbs of the body disrobed.

Characters & Entities

• Ocean creatures (timi, nakra, jhaṣa, kūrma)
• Hanumān (implied as cause)

FAQs

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

Dharma is conveyed through the idea that actions have consequences in the world: even a righteous mission can disturb nature, reminding one to act with awareness and restraint.

What is the narrative situation?

The ocean is churned by Hanumān’s passage, making hidden sea-creatures visible, as if the sea’s covering were drawn aside.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Effective strength (śakti) in service: his power is so great it changes the visible surface of the ocean.