Shloka 4

Āśvamedha-dīkṣā-nirdeśaḥ — Scheduling the Initiation and Assigning Protection for the Horse

Devanagari script

ते कोशानग्रत: कृत्वा विविशु: स्वपुरं तदा

Transliteration

te kośān agrataḥ kṛtvā viviśuḥ svapuraṃ tadā

Translation

Vaiśampāyana dit : Ayant placé en tête le trésor et les réserves, ils entrèrent alors dans leur propre cité—signe d’un retour ordonné où l’on assurait d’abord la richesse et les ressources de la communauté, reflet d’une gouvernance prudente et responsable après les événements de la campagne.

Word by Word

• ते: they
• ते: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• कोशान्: treasuries; stores
• कोशान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोश
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• अग्रतः: in front; ahead
• अग्रतः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अग्रतः

• कृत्वा: having made; having placed
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral)

• विविशुः: they entered
• Type: Verb
• Root: विश्
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Plural, Parasmaipada

• स्वपुरम्: their own city
• स्वपुरम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वपुर
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• तदा: then
• तदा: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• kośa (treasury/wealth stores)
• svapura (their own city)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights prudent dharmic administration: safeguarding communal/royal resources and maintaining order take priority when returning to civic life, especially after major undertakings.

What is happening in the narrative?

The group returns to their own city, arranging the treasuries and stores at the front—suggesting a guarded, organized entry and careful handling of wealth and supplies.