Shloka 47

Devanagari script

हस्व॑ दीर्घ कृशं स्थूलं चतुरस््र तु वृत्तवत्‌ । एवं द्वादशविस्तारं तेजसो रूपमुच्यते

Transliteration

hrasvaṁ dīrghaṁ kṛśaṁ sthūlaṁ caturasraṁ tu vṛttavat | evaṁ dvādaśa-vistāraṁ tejaso rūpam ucyate ||

Translation

Vāyu said: “The form of radiant energy is described as having twelve modes of extension: it may appear short or long, thin or thick, square or else rounded. Thus, by these varied dimensions and shapes, the nature of ‘tejas’ is spoken of.”

Word by Word

ह्रस्वम्short

दीर्घम्long

कृशम्thin, lean

स्थूलम्thick, stout

चतुरस्रम्four-sided, square

तुbut/and (emphatic)

वृत्तवत्round, circular

एवम्thus, in this way

द्वादशविस्तारम्having twelve kinds of extent/dimensions

तेजसःof light/energy (tejas)

रूपम्form, shape

उच्यतेis said/declared

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vāyu (Wind-god)

tejas (radiant energy/fire principle)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches that ‘tejas’ (radiant/fire-like energy) is not confined to a single visible shape; it is understood through multiple modes of extension—contrasting dimensions (short/long, thin/thick) and geometries (square/round)—indicating a many-sided, descriptive approach to subtle principles.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vāyu is speaking in an explanatory, instructional passage, defining how the form of ‘tejas’ is characterized. The focus is not on action but on doctrinal description—classifying the appearances or dimensions by which tejas is recognized.