Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 41, Shloka 7

अंशुमान्—अश्वान्वेषणम्, दिशागजसंवादः, कपिलदाहवृत्तान्तः, गङ्गोपदेशः

Anshuman’s Search for the Horse and the Counsel to Bring Ganga

Devanagari script

दैत्यदानवरक्षोभि: पिशाचपतगोरगै:।पूज्यमानं महातेजा दिशागजमपश्यत।।।।

Transliteration

daityadānavarakṣobhiḥ piśācapatagoragaiḥ | pūjyamānaṃ mahātejā diśāgajam apaśyata ||

Translation

दैत्यदानवरक्षोभिः पिशाचपतगोरगैः। पूज्यमानं महातेजा दिशागजमपश्यत्॥

Word by Word

• daitya-dānava-rakṣobhiḥ: by daityas, dānavas, and rākṣasas
• daitya-dānava-rakṣobhiḥ: Kartṛ (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daitya (प्रातिपदिक) + dānava (प्रातिपदिक) + rakṣas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; dvandva (itaretara): 'by daityas, dānavas, and rākṣasas'

• piśāca-pataga-oragaiḥ: by piśācas, birds, and serpents
• piśāca-pataga-oragaiḥ: Kartṛ (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: piśāca (प्रातिपदिक) + pataga (प्रातिपदिक) + uraga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; dvandva: 'by piśācas, birds, and serpents'

• pūjyamānam: being worshipped
• pūjyamānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √pūj (पूज् धातु) + śānac (शानच्)
• Form: Present passive participle (śānac), Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; qualifies 'diśāgajam'

• mahātejāḥ: the great-splendored one
• mahātejāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā-tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; karmadhāraya epithet of subject (Aṃśumān)

• diśāgajam: the directional elephant
• diśāgajam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: diśā-gaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: 'elephant of a quarter/direction'

• apaśyat: saw / beheld
• apaśyat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (दृश् धातु)
• Form: Laṅ lakāra (Imperfect), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana; parasmaipada

Context

'Creatures in the depths of the earth are powerful and mighty. Carry with you a bow and weapons to counter their attack'.

Characters & Entities

• Anśumān
• diśāgaja (elephant of the quarter)
• Daityas
• Dānavas
• Rākṣasas
• Piśācas
• birds
• serpents

FAQs

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

Recognition of cosmic order: even fearsome beings acknowledge higher guardianship. Dharma includes understanding that power is ultimately situated within a larger moral and cosmic structure.

What is the narrative situation?

During his descent, Anśumān encounters a diśāgaja—an awe-inspiring directional guardian—receiving worship from many classes of beings.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Awe tempered by discernment—Anśumān observes sacred hierarchy rather than reacting with hostility.