Shloka 4

Devanagari script

स्थितस्य वृक्षमूलेषु तस्य चिन्ता बभूव ह । उत्सृज्य सुमहत्कर्म सूक्ष्म प्रति महामते,महामते! वे बड़े-बड़े कर्मोंका आरम्भ त्यागकर एक वृक्षके नीचे जा बैठे और सूक्ष्मतत््वकी खोजके लिये इस प्रकार चिन्ता करने लगे

Transliteration

sthitasya vṛkṣamūleṣu tasya cintā babhūva ha | utsṛjya sumahat karma sūkṣmaṃ prati mahāmate ||

Translation

Когда он сел у корней деревьев, в нём поднялась глубокая забота. Отложив великие внешние дела, мудрец обратил ум к тонкой истине, внутренне размышляя в поисках самого существенного.

Word by Word

स्थितस्यof (him) being seated/standing

वृक्षin/at trees

मूलेषुat the roots

तस्यof him

चिन्ताthought/anxiety

बभूवarose/was

हindeed/for emphasis

उत्सृज्यhaving abandoned

सुमहत्very great

कर्मaction/deed/undertaking

सूक्ष्मम्subtle (principle/thing)

प्रतिtowards/with regard to

महामतेO great-minded one

Speaker

समुद्र उवाच

Characters & Entities

स

समुद्र (Samudra, the Ocean)

व

वृक्ष (tree)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse contrasts external, grand undertakings with inward discernment: true wisdom may require laying aside impressive actions to pursue subtle truth through reflection and self-inquiry.

What is happening in the narrative?

The speaker describes a wise person who, instead of beginning major works, sits beneath trees and becomes absorbed in thoughtful concern—turning attention toward subtle principles and deeper understanding.