Shloka 38
दक्षिणदिशि सीतान्वेषण-आदेशः
Commissioning the Southern Search for Sītā
तत्र भोगवती नाम सर्पाणामालयः पुरी।।4.41.37।।विशालकक्ष्या दुर्धर्षा सर्वतः परिरक्षिता।रक्षिता पन्नगैर्घोरैस्तीक्ष्णदष्ट्रैरैर्महाविषैः।।4.41.38।।सर्पराजो महाप्राज्ञो यस्यां वसति वासुकिः।
viśāla-kakṣyā durdharṣā sarvataḥ parirakṣitā |
rakṣitā pannagair ghorais tīkṣṇa-daṣṭrair mahā-viṣaiḥ || 4.41.38 ||
sarpa-rājo mahā-prājño yasyāṃ vasati vāsukiḥ |
Thành ấy có hành lang rộng lớn, kiên cố khó xâm phạm, bốn bề đều được canh giữ—được bảo vệ bởi những mãng xà đáng sợ, nanh sắc và nọc độc cực mạnh. Tại đó ngự trú rắn vương Vāsuki, bậc đại trí.
'There on that mountain (Kunjara) stands a city called Bhogavati, which is the abode of serpents. It has wide corridors. Guarded on all sides, it is unassailable since it is protected by venomous serpents with sharp fangs. The wise serpent king Vasuki resides there. (Bhogavati is the replica of the city of the same name in Patala, the sixth subterranean region)
FAQs
Dharma requires non-recklessness: recognizing protected domains and powerful guardians teaches restraint, respect for boundaries, and avoidance of needless conflict while pursuing a righteous end.
Sugrīva describes Bhogavatī’s formidable defenses and identifies Vāsuki as its resident ruler, warning the party about the city’s guarded nature.
Prudence and disciplined courage: bravery is not rash intrusion, but careful progress aligned with the mission’s purpose.