Shloka 16

वर्षावर्णनम्

The Monsoon Description and Rama’s Counsel on Timing

Devanagari script

सम्प्रस्थिता मानसवासलुब्धाःप्रियान्विताः सम्प्रति चक्रवाकाः।अभीक्ष्णवर्षोदकविक्षतेषुयानानि मार्गेषु न सम्पतन्ति।।

Transliteration

samprasthitā mānasavāsa-lubdhāḥ priyānvitāḥ samprati cakravākāḥ | abhīkṣṇa-varṣodaka-vikṣateṣu yānāni mārgeṣu na sampatanti ||

Translation

మానస సరోవరంలో నివసించాలనే ఆశతో హంసలు బయలుదేరాయి; చక్రవాక పక్షులు ఇప్పుడు తమ ప్రియులతో కలిశాయి. కానీ ఎడతెరిపిలేని వర్షజలంతో చీలిపోయిన మార్గాల్లో వాహనాలు సాగవు॥

Word by Word

सम्प्रस्थिताःset out, departed

मानस-वास-लुब्धाःdesiring residence at Mānasā lake

प्रिय-अन्विताःaccompanied by their beloveds

सम्प्रतिnow, at present

चक्रवाकाःcakravāka birds

अभीक्ष्ण-वर्ष-उदक-विक्षतेषुon roads damaged by frequent rain-water

यानानिvehicles/carts

मार्गेषुon roads

नnot

सम्पतन्तिmove/advance, proceed

Context

'The sky which is visible here is not visible there due to clouds scattered. It looks bright (blue) here and dull there. It appears like an unruffled ocean interspersed with hills here and there.

Characters & Entities

swans (haṃsa implied by context)

cakravāka birds

FAQs

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

Dharma requires realism and discipline: one must recognize when conditions prevent action. The rains halt travel, reminding that righteous effort also means restraint when circumstances make progress harmful or impossible.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama describes signs of the monsoon—migrations and reunions among birds, and impassable roads—indicating how the season shapes movement and plans.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Patience (kṣamā) and steadiness: the capacity to endure delays without abandoning purpose.