Shloka 16

कुशिकवंश

प्रसङ्गः / Genealogy of the Kuśika Line and the Kausikī River

Devanagari script

शनैर्वियुज्यते सन्ध्या नभो नेत्रैरिवावृतम् ।नक्षत्रतारागहनं ज्योतिर्भिरिव भासते।।।।

Transliteration

śanair viyujyate sandhyā nabho netrair ivāvṛtam |

nakṣatra-tārā-gahanaṃ jyotirbhir iva bhāsate ||

Translation

سندھیا آہستہ آہستہ جدا ہونے لگی؛ آسمان گویا آنکھوں سے ڈھکا ہوا تھا، اور ستاروں و نَکشَتروں کی گھنی جھرمٹ میں یوں چمک رہا تھا جیسے نوروں کا پھیلا ہوا میدان ہو۔

Word by Word

• śanaiḥ: gradually
• śanaiḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śanaiḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa-avyaya (adverb: 'slowly/gradually')

• viyujyate: separates (fades)
• viyujyate: Kriyā (क्रिया/predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√yuj (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ lakāra (Present), Prathama puruṣa (3rd person), Ekavacana; Ātmanepada; passive/intransitive sense 'separates'

• sandhyā: twilight
• sandhyā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sandhyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (f.), Prathamā vibhakti (Nom. 1), Ekavacana

• nabhaḥ: sky
• nabhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nabhas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुṃsakaliṅga (n.), Prathamā vibhakti (Nom. 1), Ekavacana

• netraiḥ: with eyes
• netraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument; simile)
• Type: Noun
• Root: netra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुṃsakaliṅga (n.), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (Instr. 3), Bahuvacana

• iva: as if
• iva: Upamāna (उपमान/simile marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Upamā-avyaya (particle of comparison: 'like/as')

• āvṛtam: covered
• āvṛtam: Kriyā (क्रिया/predicate complement)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√vṛ (धातु) + kta (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Kta-participle, Napuṃsakaliṅga (n.), Prathamā/Dvitīyā (Nom./Acc.), Ekavacana; agrees with 'nabhaḥ' (n.)

• nakṣatratārāgahanam: dense with stars and constellations
• nakṣatratārāgahanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nakṣatra-tārā-gahana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga (n.), Prathamā/Dvitīyā (Nom./Acc.), Ekavacana; predicate adjective to 'nabhaḥ'

• jyotirbhiḥ: with lights
• jyotirbhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument; simile)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jyotis (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga (n.), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (Instr. 3), Bahuvacana

• iva: as if
• iva: Upamāna (उपमान/simile marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Upamā-avyaya (comparison particle)

• bhāsate: shines
• bhāsate: Kriyā (क्रिया/predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhās (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ lakāra (Present), Prathama puruṣa (3rd person), Ekavacana; Ātmanepada

Context

O Lord! the Moon with his cool rays, dispelling the darkness of the earth and delighting the minds of all living beings in this world, is rising higher and higher.

Characters & Entities

• Sandhyā (twilight)
• Nakṣatra (constellations)
• Tārā (stars)

FAQs

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

The ordered transition from twilight to night evokes ṛta (cosmic order), a backdrop for dharma: righteousness aligns with the steady, lawful rhythm of the world.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration paints the late-night sky as twilight fades and stars become prominent.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

No direct character trait; the imagery supports a contemplative mood suitable for disciplined life and righteous action.