Shloka 6

पञ्चाप्सरो-सरः कथनम् तथा अगस्त्याश्रममार्गनिर्देशः

Panchapsara Lake Account and Directions to Agastya

Devanagari script

ते गत्वा दूरमध्वानं लम्बमाने दिवाकरे।ददृशुस्सहिता रम्यं तटाकं योजनायतम्।।3.11.5।।पद्मपुष्करसम्बाधं गजयूथैरलङ्कृतम्।सारसैर्हंसकादम्बैस्सङ्कुलं जलचारिभिः।।3.11.6।।

Transliteration

padmapuṣkarasambādhaṃ gajayūthair alaṅkṛtam | sārasair haṃsakādambaiḥ saṅkulaṃ jalacāribhiḥ || 3.11.6 ||

Translation

Eles viram um lago repleto de lótus e lírios, adornado por manadas de elefantes e cheio de grous, cisnes e outras aves aquáticas.

Word by Word

• प्रसन्नसलिले: in clear water
• प्रसन्नसलिले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रसन्न + सलिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; Neuter Locative singular; qualifying ‘सरसि’

• रम्ये: in a delightful (place)
• रम्ये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; Neuter Locative singular; qualifying ‘सरसि’

• तस्मिन्: in that
• तस्मिन्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; Pronoun, Locative singular

• सरसि: in the lake
• सरसि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; Neuter Locative singular

• शुश्रुवे: was heard
• शुश्रुवे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; Perfect, 3rd person singular (impersonal sense: ‘was heard’)

• गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषः: the din of songs and instruments
• गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गीत + वादित्र + निर्घोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Masculine Nominative singular; (गीत-वादित्रयोः निर्घोषः = sound of songs and instruments)

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय; negation

• तु: but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अवधारण-अव्यय; ‘but/however’

• कश्चन: anyone
• कश्चन: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + चन (निपात)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Indefinite pronoun ‘anyone’; Masculine Nominative singular

• दृश्यते: is seen
• दृश्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; Present passive/ātmanepada usage: ‘is seen’

Context

As the Sun was setting, they had covered a long distance, watching a yojanalong tank adorned with lotuses, and crowded with herds of elephants and flocks of cranes, swans and aquatic animals.

Characters & Entities

• taṭāka (lake)
• padma (lotus)
• puṣkara (water-lily)
• sārasa (crane)
• haṃsa (swan)
• kādamba (waterfowl)

FAQs

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

The verse foregrounds a dhārmic sensibility of reverent attention to the natural world—seeing forests and waters not as mere resources but as living, ordered spaces that sustain many beings.

What is the narrative situation?

During their forest journey, the group comes upon a beautiful lake landscape filled with lotuses, birds, and elephants, marking a calm interlude in the wilderness.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Mindful restraint and appreciative awareness—qualities that support dharma in exile by keeping the mind steady, observant, and non-violent amid the forest’s uncertainties.