Shloka 21

सूर्य–कर्णोपदेशः

Sūrya’s Counsel to Karṇa on Kīrti and the Kuṇḍala

Devanagari script

निवसन्ती निराबाधा तथैव गिरिसानुषु । उपायाद्धरिसेना सा क्षारोदमथ सागरम्‌,जहाँ फल-मूलकी बहुतायत होती, मधु और कन्द-मूल प्रचुरमात्रामें उपलब्ध होते तथा जलकी अधिक सुविधा होती, ऐसे कल्याणकारी और उत्तम विविध पर्वतीय शिखरोंपर डेरा डालती हुई वह वानरसेना बिना किसी विघ्न-बाधाके खारे पानीवाले समुद्रके निकट जा पहुँची

Transliteration

nivasantī nirābādhā tathaiva girisānuṣu | upāyād dharisenā sā kṣārodam atha sāgaram ||

Translation

Mārkaṇḍeya nói: Cư trú không gặp trở ngại trên các sườn và sống núi, đạo quân của Hari—tức quân vānara—tiếp tục tiến bước và rốt cuộc đến được đại dương mặn.

Word by Word

• [{'term': 'nivasantī', 'gloss': 'dwelling, camping, taking up residence (fem. nom. sg.)'}, {'term': 'nirābādhā', 'gloss': 'unobstructed, free from trouble or affliction'}, {'term': 'tathaiva', 'gloss': 'just so, likewise, in the same manner'}, {'term': 'girisānuṣu', 'gloss': 'on mountain slopes/ridges (loc. pl. of girisānu)'}, {'term': 'upāyāt', 'gloss': 'went near, arrived, reached (aorist of upa-√yā)'}, {'term': 'harisenā', 'gloss': 'the army of Hari

• commonly the vānaras (monkey host)'}, {'term': 'sā', 'gloss': 'she/that (referring to the army

• fem.)'}, {'term': 'kṣāroda', 'gloss': 'salt water

• briny water'}, {'term': 'atha', 'gloss': 'then, thereafter'}, {'term': 'sāgara', 'gloss': 'ocean, sea'}]

Speaker

मार्कण्डेय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Mārkaṇḍeya
• Harisenā (Vānara-senā)
• Girisānu (mountain slopes/ridges)
• Kṣāroda-sāgara (salt ocean)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even a vast undertaking succeeds when pursued without disorder—moving step by step, choosing safe and well-resourced halting places, and avoiding needless obstacles. The verse highlights disciplined progress and prudent use of available supports.

What is happening in the narrative?

Mārkaṇḍeya narrates that the vānaras (Harisenā) camped peacefully on mountain slopes and peaks and, continuing their march without impediment, finally arrived at the salt-water ocean.