Shloka 54

पश्चिमदिशि अन्वेषणादेशः

Instructions for the Western Search Party

Devanagari script

श्रोतव्यं सर्वमेतस्य भवद्भिर्दिष्टकारिभिः।गुरुरेष महाबाहुश्श्वशुरो मे महाबलः।।4.42.54।।

Transliteration

śrotavyaṃ sarvam etasya bhavadbhir diṣṭakāribhiḥ | gurur eṣa mahābāhuḥ śvaśuro me mahābalaḥ || 4.42.54 ||

Translation

Vous, chargés d’exécuter les ordres, devez écouter tout ce qu’il dira. Cet homme aux bras puissants, d’une grande force—mon beau-père—est votre aîné et votre guide.

Word by Word

• śrotavyam: must be listened to
• śrotavyam: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धातु) + -tavya (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Gerundive/obligative (तव्यत्-कृदन्त), Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; impersonal: “is to be listened to”

• sarvam: everything
• sarvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; object of śrotavyam

• etasya: of this one (of him)
• etasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• bhavadbhiḥ: by you (hon.)
• bhavadbhiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Honorific pronoun/noun, Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• diṣṭakāribhiḥ: by those who carry out orders
• diṣṭakāribhiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: diṣṭa + kārin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; tatpuruṣa: diṣṭaṃ (ājñā) karoti iti = “order-executors”

• guruḥ: teacher/elder
• guruḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• eṣaḥ: this (person)
• eṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• mahābāhuḥ: mighty-armed
• mahābāhuḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + bāhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; bahuvrīhi: “one whose arms are great”

• śvaśuraḥ: father-in-law
• śvaśuraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śvaśura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• me: my
• me: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Genitive (6th/षष्ठī), Singular (enclitic)

• mahābalaḥ: very strong
• mahābalaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; bahuvrīhi: “one who has great strength”

Context

'You should obey him. You are meant to carry out his orders. He is not only my father-in-law but also a valiant, strong and powerful hero and my preceptor.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva

FAQs

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

Dharma values respectful obedience to rightful authority and elders, especially within a delegated mission.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva establishes an internal chain of command for the expedition.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śiṣṭācāra (proper conduct): listening to elders/teachers and honoring organizational discipline.