Shloka 8
पश्चिमदिशि अन्वेषणादेशः
Instructions for the Western Search Party
प्रत्यक्स्रोतोगमाश्चैव नद्यश्शीतजलाश्शिवाः।।4.42.8।।तापसानामरण्यानि कान्तारा गिरयश्च ये।तत्रस्थलीं मरुप्रायामत्युच्चशिरसश्शिलाः।।4.42.9।।गिरिजालावृतां दुर्गां मार्गित्वा पश्चिमां दिशम्।ततः पश्चिममासाद्य समुद्रं द्रष्टुमर्हथ।।4.42.10।।तिमिनक्रायुतजलमक्षोभ्यमथ वानराः।
pratyak-sroto-gamāś caiva nadyaḥ śīta-jalāḥ śivāḥ | tāpasānām araṇyāni kāntārā girayaś ca ye ||
tatra sthalīṃ maru-prāyām aty-ucca-śirasaḥ śilāḥ | giri-jālāvṛtāṃ durgāṃ mārgitvā paścimāṃ diśam ||
tataḥ paścimam āsādya samudraṃ draṣṭum arhatha | timi-nakrāyuta-jalam akṣobhyam atha vānarāḥ ||
おお猿たちよ、そこには冷たい清水をたたえ、西へと流れる吉祥なる河がある。苦行者たちの森、荒れた険地と山々、乾いた地帯と高峰そびえる岩山をくまなく探せ。山脈に囲まれた難路の西方を探索し終えれば、汝らは西の大海に至り、拝するであろう――その水は鯨と鰐に満ち、容易には揺るがぬ。
'O leaders of monkeys search for Sita in the countries of Saurashtra, and also Bahlika, Chandrachitra, in delightful villages and vast towns, also in Kukshi covered haphazardly with punnaga, bakula and uddalaka trees as well as ketaka shrubs.
FAQs
Dharma is steadfast pursuit of a righteous goal despite hardship: the search must continue through deserts, mountains, and up to the sea, without shrinking from danger.
Sugrīva details the western route: rivers, ascetic forests, harsh terrain, mountain barriers, and finally the western ocean.
Dhṛti (fortitude) and utsāha (energetic resolve) in carrying out a noble mission.