Shloka 54

पश्चिमदिशि अन्वेषणादेशः

Instructions for the Western Search Party

Devanagari script

श्रोतव्यं सर्वमेतस्य भवद्भिर्दिष्टकारिभिः।गुरुरेष महाबाहुश्श्वशुरो मे महाबलः।।4.42.54।।

Transliteration

śrotavyaṃ sarvam etasya bhavadbhir diṣṭakāribhiḥ | gurur eṣa mahābāhuḥ śvaśuro me mahābalaḥ || 4.42.54 ||

Translation

Kayong mga itinalagang tumupad sa utos ay dapat makinig sa lahat ng kanyang sasabihin. Ang makapangyarihang may malalakas na bisig na ito—ang aking biyenan—ang inyong nakatatanda at gabay.

Word by Word

• śrotavyam: must be listened to
• śrotavyam: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धातु) + -tavya (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Gerundive/obligative (तव्यत्-कृदन्त), Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; impersonal: “is to be listened to”

• sarvam: everything
• sarvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; object of śrotavyam

• etasya: of this one (of him)
• etasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• bhavadbhiḥ: by you (hon.)
• bhavadbhiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Honorific pronoun/noun, Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• diṣṭakāribhiḥ: by those who carry out orders
• diṣṭakāribhiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: diṣṭa + kārin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; tatpuruṣa: diṣṭaṃ (ājñā) karoti iti = “order-executors”

• guruḥ: teacher/elder
• guruḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• eṣaḥ: this (person)
• eṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• mahābāhuḥ: mighty-armed
• mahābāhuḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + bāhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; bahuvrīhi: “one whose arms are great”

• śvaśuraḥ: father-in-law
• śvaśuraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śvaśura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• me: my
• me: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Genitive (6th/षष्ठī), Singular (enclitic)

• mahābalaḥ: very strong
• mahābalaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; bahuvrīhi: “one who has great strength”

Context

'You should obey him. You are meant to carry out his orders. He is not only my father-in-law but also a valiant, strong and powerful hero and my preceptor.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva

FAQs

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

Dharma values respectful obedience to rightful authority and elders, especially within a delegated mission.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva establishes an internal chain of command for the expedition.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śiṣṭācāra (proper conduct): listening to elders/teachers and honoring organizational discipline.