Shloka 12

दक्षिणदिशि सीतान्वेषण-आदेशः

Commissioning the Southern Search for Sītā

Devanagari script

विदर्भानृषिकांश्चैव रम्यान्माहिषकानपि।तथा वङ्गान्कलिङ्गांश्च कौशिकांश्च समन्ततः।।4.41.11।।अन्वीक्ष्य दण्डकारण्यं सपर्वतनदीगुहाम्।नदीं गोदावरीं चैव सर्वमेवानुपश्यत।।4.41.12।।तथैवान्ध्रांश्च पुण्ड्रांश्च चोलान्पाण्ड्यांत्स केरलान्।

Transliteration

vidarbhān ṛṣikāṃś caiva ramyān māhiṣakān api |

tathā vaṅgān kaliṅgāṃś ca kauśikāṃś ca samantataḥ ||

anvīkṣya daṇḍakāraṇyaṃ sa-parvata-nadī-guhām |

nadīṃ godāvarīṃ caiva sarvam evānupaśyata ||

tathaivāndhrāṃś ca puṇḍrāṃś ca colān pāṇḍyāṃs tathā keralān |

Translation

Carilah Sītā di negeri Vidarbha dan Ṛṣika, juga di tanah Māhiṣaka yang elok; demikian pula di wilayah Vāṅga dan Kaliṅga, serta di seluruh daerah Kauśika. Setelah menelusuri hutan Daṇḍaka beserta gunung, sungai, dan guanya, perhatikanlah pula sepanjang sungai Godāvarī dengan saksama. Demikian juga selidikilah di antara Āndhra, Puṇḍra, Cola, Pāṇḍya, dan Kerala.

Word by Word

• तस्य: of that (mountain)
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Masculine/Neuter (पुं/नपुं), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• आसीनम्: seated
• आसीनम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā-√sad + kta (धातु)
• Form: PPP (क्त) from ā-√sad ‘seated’; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying अगस्त्यम्

• नगस्य: of the mountain
• नगस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: naga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• अग्रे: on the summit/front
• अग्रे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• मलयस्य: of Malaya (mountain)
• मलयस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: malaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन); specifying the mountain ‘Malaya’

• महौजसम्: of great splendour
• महौजसम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + ojas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi (बहुव्रीहि) ‘of great energy/splendour’; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying अगस्त्यम्

• द्रक्ष्यथ: you all will see
• द्रक्ष्यथ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Luṭ-lakāra (लुट्, periphrastic future), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• आदित्यसङ्काशम्: like the sun
• आदित्यसङ्काशम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āditya + saṅkāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘sun-like’; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying अगस्त्यम्

• अगस्त्यम्: Agastya
• अगस्त्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agastya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ऋषिसत्तमम्: the best of sages
• ऋषिसत्तमम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ṛṣi + sattama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘best of sages’; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying अगस्त्यम्

Context

'Look for Sita in the countries of Vidarbha and Rishika, in the picturesque country of Mashaka, Vanga and Kalinga and all over Kausika. Look for her in mountains caves and on river banks, in Dandaka forest, in Godavari, in Andhra also in Pundra, Chola and Pandya countries and all over Kerala.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Vāṅga
• Kauśika
• Daṇḍaka forest (Daṇḍakāraṇya)
• Godāvarī river

FAQs

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

Dharma is steadfast fulfillment of entrusted duty: the searchers must be thorough and unbiased, examining every region carefully rather than acting on assumptions.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva gives a detailed itinerary to the southern party, listing kingdoms and natural landmarks where Sītā might be found, emphasizing comprehensive reconnaissance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Perseverance and discipline—systematic searching across difficult terrain (forests, caves, rivers) without neglecting any place.