Shloka 45

पश्चिमदिशि अन्वेषणादेशः

Instructions for the Western Search Party

Devanagari script

शोभितं तरुभिश्चित्रैर्नानापक्षिसमाकुलैः।निकेतं पाशहस्तस्य वरुणस्य महात्मनः।।4.42.45।।

Transliteration

śobhitaṃ tarubhiś citrair nānāpakṣisamākulaiḥ |

niketaṃ pāśahastasya varuṇasya mahātmanaḥ || 4.42.45 ||

Translation

Yaong kaakit-akit na pook, pinalamutian ng sari-saring punò at punô ng maraming uri ng ibon, ay ang tahanan ng dakilang-loob na si Varuṇa, ang may tangan ng lubid na panggapós.

Word by Word

• शोभितम्: adorned, beautified
• शोभितम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शोभित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √शुभ्/√शोभ्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (PPP); विशेषण (agreeing with निकेतम्)

• तरुभिः: with trees
• तरुभिः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; करण (instrumental)

• चित्रैः: variegated, colorful
• चित्रैः: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण (agreeing with तरुभिः)

• नाना-पक्षि-समाकुलैः: crowded with various birds
• नाना-पक्षि-समाकुलैः: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नाना + पक्षि + समाकुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण (agreeing with तरुभिः); ‘समाकुल’ = ‘filled with’

• निकेतम्: residence, abode
• निकेतम्: कर्म/विषय (Karma/Topic; ‘residence’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निकेत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• पाश-हस्तस्य: of the noose-in-hand (one)
• पाश-हस्तस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाश + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; विशेषण (genitive qualifier of वरुणस्य)

• वरुणस्य: of Varuṇa
• वरुणस्य: सम्बन्ध (Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वरुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• महात्मनः: of the great-souled
• महात्मनः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; विशेषण (of वरुणस्य)

Context

'Between mount Asta (the mountain behind which the Sun sets) and Meru there is a shining golden palm tree with ten high peaks and wonderful altars around.

Characters & Entities

• Varuṇa
• pāśa (noose)
• trees (taru)
• birds (pakṣi)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes governance and restraint: Varuṇa’s noose symbolizes lawful control—order that protects the world when exercised by a ‘mahātman’ (one guided by higher good).

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva continues a guided description of the west, mentioning Varuṇa’s abode as a significant cosmographic feature.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Just authority—power (the noose) is framed as responsibility, not cruelty.