Shloka 23

Saptajana-āśrama Darśana and the Approach to Kiṣkindhā

Hermitage of Seven Sages; March toward Vāli’s Capital

Devanagari script

त्रेताग्नयोऽपि दीप्यन्ते दूमो ह्यत्र प्रकाशते।वेष्टयन्निव वृक्षाग्रान्कपोताङ्गारुणो घनः।।

Transliteration

tretāgnayo 'pi dīpyante dhūmo hy atra prakāśate | veṣṭayann iva vṛkṣāgrān kapotāṅgāruṇo ghanaḥ ||

Translation

ที่นี่ไฟศักดิ์สิทธิ์ทั้งสามกำลังลุกโชติช่วง และควันก็ปรากฏเป็นประกาย—หนาทึบแดงเรื่อดุจเท้านกพิราบ—ราวกับกำลังพันห่อปลายยอดไม้ทั้งหลาย

Word by Word

त्रेताग्नयःthe three sacred fires

अपिalso

दीप्यन्तेblaze/shine

धूमःsmoke

हिindeed

अत्रhere

प्रकाशतेappears/glows

वेष्टयन्enveloping

इवas if

वृक्षाग्रान्tree-tops

कपोताङ्गारुणःreddish like a pigeon’s limbs

घनःa dense mass (smoke/cloud)

Context

'The three sacred fires keep burning and the thick smoke they emit resembles the red feet of pigeons. It shines forth as if enveloping the tree-tops.

Characters & Entities

dhūma (smoke)

vṛkṣa (trees)

FAQs

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

Dharma is upheld through yajña and daily sacred duty: the maintained fires signify continuity of Vedic responsibility and disciplined worship.

What is the narrative situation?

Visible signs of ongoing ritual life—fires and smoke—mark the hermitage as actively maintained by ascetics.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfast duty (nitya-karma): regular observance of sacred obligations.