Shloka 71

Origin of the Lunar Dynasty: Soma’s Rise, the Tārā Abduction War, Budha–Purūravas Genealogy, and Kārtavīrya Arjuna

Devanagari script

मेनकां चोर्वशीं रंभां नृत्यध्वमिति चादिशत् । ननर्त सलयं तत्र लक्ष्मीरूपेण चोर्वशी

Transliteration

menakāṃ corvaśīṃ raṃbhāṃ nṛtyadhvamiti cādiśat | nanarta salayaṃ tatra lakṣmīrūpeṇa corvaśī

Translation

Alors il ordonna à Menakā, Urvaśī et Rambhā : « Dansez ! » Là, Urvaśī dansa, revêtant la forme et la beauté de Lakṣmī.

Word by Word

• menakām: Menaka
• menakām: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: menakā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• urvaśīm: Urvashi
• urvaśīm: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: urvaśī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• rambhām: Rambha
• rambhām: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rambhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• nṛtyadhvam: Dance!
• nṛtyadhvam: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nṛt (धातु)
• Form: Lot Lakara (Imperative), Atmanepada, Madhyama Purusha (2nd), Plural

• iti: thus
• iti: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (quotative marker)

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• ādiśat: commanded/instructed
• ādiśat: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā + diś (धातु)
• Form: Lang Lakara (Imperfect), Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha (3rd), Singular

• nanarta: danced
• nanarta: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nṛt (धातु)
• Form: Lit Lakara (Perfect), Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha (3rd), Singular

• salayam: with rhythm/tempo
• salayam: Kriya-Visheshana (Adverb)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: salaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular (used adverbially)

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikarana (Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb of place

• lakṣmī-rūpeṇa: in the form of Lakshmi
• lakṣmī-rūpeṇa: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmī-rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• urvaśī: Urvashi
• urvaśī: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: urvaśī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

Speaker

Narrator (contextual speaker not explicit in this single verse)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: celestial_realm

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: ca+urvaśīm -> corvaśīm (Guna); nṛtyadhvam+iti -> nṛtyadhvamiti (Anusvara to m); ca+ādiśat -> cādiśat (Savarnadirgha); ca+urvaśī -> corvaśī (Guna)

Characters & Entities

• Menakā
• Urvaśī
• Rambhā
• Lakṣmī

FAQs

Who are Menakā, Urvaśī, and Rambhā in this verse?

They are famous apsarases (celestial dancers) of Indra’s heaven, frequently depicted in Purāṇic literature as performers who appear in divine assemblies and significant mythic events.

What does it mean that Urvaśī danced “in the form of Lakṣmī” (lakṣmī-rūpeṇa)?

It indicates that Urvaśī assumed a Lakṣmī-like appearance—radiance, beauty, and auspicious charm—suggesting an elevated, divine splendor rather than merely ordinary performance.

What is the broader theme suggested by this verse within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa?

The verse reflects a creation-era mythic atmosphere where celestial beings participate in cosmic or royal events, emphasizing divine order, auspiciousness, and the aesthetic dimension of sacred narrative.