Shloka 24

हेमन्तवर्णनम् तथा भरतधर्मनिष्ठा-चिन्तनम्

Winter Description and Reflection on Bharata’s Devotion

Devanagari script

बाष्पसञ्छन्नसलिला रुतविज्ञेयसारसाः।हिमार्द्रवालुकैस्तीरैस्सरितो भान्ति साम्प्रतम्।।।।

Transliteration

bāṣpasañchannasalilā rutavijñeyasārasāḥ |

himārdravālukais tīrais sarito bhānti sāmpratam ||

Translation

今、川々は水面を湯気に隠され、ただ白鳥の声によってその在り処が知られる。岸辺の砂は霜に濡れている。

Word by Word

बाष्प-सञ्छन्न-सलिलाःwhose waters are covered with vapour

रुत-विज्ञेय-सारसाःwhere swans are known by their calls

हिम-आर्द्र-वालुकैःwith snow-damp sands

तीरैःby/with the banks

सरितःrivers

भान्तिshine/appear

साम्प्रतम्now

Context

Now the rivers are not visible as the waters are covered with vapour. They are only inferred through the cackling of swans and the sands of the bank moistened with dew-drops.

Characters & Entities

rivers (saritaḥ)

FAQs

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

It suggests careful knowledge: when things are obscured, one relies on signs and sound inference. In dharmic life too, truth is often approached through attentive observation rather than haste.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama describes rivers in winter: mist hides the water, but swan-calls and frosted banks reveal their presence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Attentiveness and discernment—learning to recognize reality even when it is partially hidden.