Shloka 5.56.19

षट्पञ्चाशः सर्गः — वैदेही-आश्वासनम् तथा अरिष्टारोहणम् (Consoling Sita and Ascending Mount Arishta)

Devanagari script

बहुप्रस्रवणोपेतं शिलासञ्चयसङ्कटम्।महर्षियक्षगन्धर्वकिन्नरोरगसेवितम्।।।।

Transliteration

bahu-prasravaṇopetaṃ śilā-sañcaya-saṅkaṭam |

maharṣi-yakṣa-gandharva-kinnara-uraga-sevitam ||

Translation

It was filled with many waterfalls, made rugged by heaps of rocks, and frequented by great sages, yakṣas, gandharvas, kinnaras, and serpentine beings.

Context

There were many streams of water flowing and rocks making it difficult for the streams to flow. The mountain was inhabited by sages, yakshas, gandharvas, kinnaras and nagas, and uragas.

Characters & Entities

• prasravaṇa (waterfalls/springs)
• maharṣi (great sages)
• yakṣa
• gandharva
• kinnara
• uraga

FAQs

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

It presents the mountain as a shared sacred space for ascetics and supernatural guardians; Dharma here implies respect for holy places and for diverse orders of beings who uphold cosmic balance.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration marks the mountain as both physically formidable and spiritually inhabited, blending wilderness with sanctity.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence (śraddhā): awareness that certain spaces are to be approached with humility and restraint.