Shloka 2

चित्रकूटमार्गवर्णनम्

Bharata’s Army Reaches Chitrakuta and Searches for Rama

Devanagari script

ऋक्षाः पृषतसङ्घाश्च रुरवश्च समन्ततः। दृश्यन्ते वनराजीषु गिरिष्वपि नदीषु च।।2.93.2।।

Transliteration

ṛkṣāḥ pṛṣatasaṅghāś ca ruravaś ca samantataḥ | dṛśyante vanarājīṣu giriṣv api nadīṣu ca ||2.93.2||

Translation

ਚੌਂਹੀਂ ਪਾਸੀਂ—ਜੰਗਲ ਦੀਆਂ ਪਟੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ, ਪਹਾੜਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਤੇ ਦਰਿਆਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੰਢਿਆਂ ਤੇ ਵੀ—ਭਾਲੂ, ਚਿੱਤਰੇ ਹਿਰਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਝੁੰਡ ਅਤੇ ਰੁਰੂ ਮ੍ਰਿਗ ਦਿੱਸਦੇ ਹਨ।

Word by Word

• तया: by that
• तया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; instrumental 'by that'

• महत्या: great
• महत्या: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; agrees with dhvajinyā

• यायिन्या: marching
• यायिन्या: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yāyin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; 'marching/on the move'

• ध्वजिन्या: by the army
• ध्वजिन्या: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhvajinī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; 'army (with banners)'

• वनवासिनः: forest-dwellers
• वनवासिनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vana + vāsin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa: 'forest-dwellers'

• अर्दिताः: distressed/harassed
• अर्दिताः: Kriyā (क्रिया) / Predicative
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √ard (अर्द् धातु) ; ardita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Kta (क्त) past passive participle; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; predicative of vanavāsinaḥ/yūthapāḥ

• यूथपाः: herd-leaders
• यूथपाः: Karta (कर्ता) (subset/apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yūtha + pa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; 'leaders of herds'

• मत्ताः: maddened
• मत्ताः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: matta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; 'intoxicated/excited'

• सयूथाः: with their herds
• सयूथाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa- + yūtha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa: 'with their herds'

• सम्प्रदुद्रुवुः: ran off
• सम्प्रदुद्रुवुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-pra-√dru (द्रु धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्) perfect, 3rd person plural Parasmaipada; narrative past: 'ran away'

Context

Bears, herds of dappled gazelle and antelopes could be seen everywhere in the stretches of the forest, also on the mountains and on the river banks.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Śatrughna
• bears (ṛkṣa)
• mountains (giri)
• rivers (nadī)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown indirectly through respect for the natural order: the forest is not merely a backdrop but a living realm that righteous travelers must pass through with awareness.

What is the narrative situation?

As Bharata’s party moves through the wilderness, the scene is described with abundant wildlife across forests, hills, and riversides.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Composure and attentiveness—despite urgency, the travelers (led by Bharata) remain observant rather than reckless.