Shloka 50

पश्चिमदिशि अन्वेषणादेशः

Instructions for the Western Search Party

Devanagari script

एताव ज्जीवलोकस्य भास्करो रजनीक्ष्ये।कृत्वा वितिमिरं सर्वमस्तं गच्छति पर्वतम्।।4.42.50।।

Transliteration

etāvaj jīvalokasya bhāskaro rajanīkṣaye | kṛtvā vitimiraṃ sarvam astaṃ gacchati parvatam || 4.42.50 ||

Translation

Até aqui se estende o mundo dos seres vivos: ao fim da noite, o Sol dissipa toda a escuridão e então segue para a montanha do seu ocaso.

Word by Word

• etāvat: to this extent
• etāvat: Parimāṇa (परिमाण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: etāvat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd), Singular (एकवचन); used adverbially “to this extent”

• jīvalokasya: of the world of living beings
• jīvalokasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jīva-loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: jīvānāṃ lokaḥ

• bhāskaraḥ: the Sun
• bhāskaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāskara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• rajanīkṣaye: at the end of the night
• rajanīkṣaye: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rajanī-kṣaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: rajanīyāḥ kṣayaḥ = “end of night”

• kṛtvā: having made
• kṛtvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/gerund (क्त्वा), “having made/done”

• vitimiram: free of darkness
• vitimiram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-timira (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); nañ/vi- type: “free from darkness”

• sarvam: all (everything)
• sarvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with implicit “jagat/diśaḥ” etc.

• astam: to the setting (place)
• astam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); “setting (place)”

• gacchati: goes
• gacchati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

• parvatam: mountain
• parvatam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parvata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

Context

'The world of living beings is extended to this extent. The Sun dispels darkness at the end of the night and thereafter reaches the mountain behind which he sets (at the end of the day).

Characters & Entities

• Bhāskara (Sun)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes recognizing limits (maryādā): one should act within feasible boundaries and respect the order of the world while pursuing a righteous goal.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva explains the extent of the western route using the sun’s course as a marker.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Practical wisdom—setting clear operational boundaries for a mission.