Shloka 17

हिरण्यपुरवर्णन–रौद्रास्त्रप्रयोगः

Hiraṇyapura Described and the Deployment of the Raudra Weapon

Devanagari script

ततो विचार्य बहुशो रथमार्गेषु तान्‌ हयान्‌ । प्राचोदयत्‌ समे देशो मातलिभर्भरतर्षभ

Transliteration

tato vicārya bahuśo rathamārgeṣu tān hayān | prācodayat same deśe mātalir bharatarṣabha ||

Translation

Then, after repeatedly considering the proper course along the chariot-tracks, Mātali urged those horses forward across the level ground—O bull among the Bharatas. The moment underscores prudent deliberation before action: even in urgency, one proceeds with care, choosing a safe and fitting path rather than acting rashly.

Word by Word

• ततः: thereupon
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः
• Form: Avyaya (ablatival adverb: 'from that/thereupon')

• विचार्य: having considered
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-चर्
• Form: Absolutive (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय), 'having considered'

• बहुशः: many times / repeatedly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: बहुशः
• Form: Avyaya (adverb)

• रथमार्गेषु: on the chariot-tracks/roads
• रथमार्गेषु: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथमार्ग
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Plural

• तान्: those
• तान्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• हयान्: horses
• हयान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: हय
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• प्राचोदयत्: urged / drove on
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-चुद्
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

• समे: on level (ground)
• समे: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular (agreeing with देशे)

• देशे: in a place/region
• देशे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: देश
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• मातलिः: Mātali (Indra's charioteer)
• मातलिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: मातलि
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• भरतर्षभ: O bull of the Bharatas (best of Bharata lineage)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भरतर्षभ
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

Speaker

अजुन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Mātali
• horses (hayāḥ)
• chariot-path/tracks (rathamārga)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights thoughtful discernment (vicāra) before action: one should assess the path and conditions repeatedly and then proceed in a controlled, appropriate manner—an ethical model of careful, responsible agency rather than impulsiveness.

What is happening in the narrative?

Mātali, acting as charioteer, examines the chariot routes and the terrain, and after repeated consideration drives the horses forward over level ground, ensuring safe and proper progress.