Shloka 16

सिद्धाश्रमात् शोणातटं प्रस्थानम् — Departure from Siddhāśrama and the Invitation to Janaka’s Yajña

Bow of Mithilā

Devanagari script

प्रदक्षिणं तत: कृत्वा सिद्धाश्रममनुत्तमम्।उत्तरां दिशमुद्दिश्य प्रस्थातुमुपचक्रमे।।1.31.16।।

Transliteration

pradakṣiṇaṃ tataḥ kṛtvā siddhāśramam anuttamam | uttarāṃ diśam uddiśya prasthātum upacakrame || 1.31.16 ||

Translation

Depois, tendo circundado em reverência o incomparável Siddhāśrama, iniciaram a jornada, tomando o rumo da direção setentrional.

Word by Word

प्रदक्षिणम्circumambulation

ततःthereafter

कृत्वाhaving done/made

सिद्धाश्रमम्Siddhāśrama

अनुत्तमम्unsurpassed/supreme

उत्तराम्northern

दिशम्direction

उद्दिश्यhaving turned towards

प्रस्थातुम्to depart

उपचक्रमेbegan/commenced

Context

Thereafter, circumambulating the supreme Siddhasrama with reverence, they (Viswamitra and the princes) commenced their journey in the northern direction.

Characters & Entities

Siddhāśrama

Viśvāmitra (implied as leader of the group)

Rāma (implied)

Lakṣmaṇa (implied)

FAQs

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

Reverence for sacred spaces: circumambulation before departure reflects dharma through humility, gratitude, and truthfulness toward what is revered.

What is the narrative situation?

Before leaving Siddhāśrama, the party performs pradakṣiṇā and then proceeds northward toward the next stage of the journey.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respectful discipline: action is framed by ritual propriety—beginning and ending endeavors with reverence.