Shloka 47

पश्चिमदिशि अन्वेषणादेशः

Instructions for the Western Search Party

Devanagari script

तेषु सर्वेषु दुर्गेषु सरस्सु च सरित्सु च।रावणस्सह वैदेह्या मार्गितव्यस्तत स्ततः।।4.42.47।।

Transliteration

antarā merum astaṃ ca tālo daśaśirā mahān |

jātarūpamayaḥ śrīmān bhrājate citravedikaḥ || 4.42.46 ||

Translation

Giữa núi Meru và núi Asta (núi hoàng hôn) rạng ngời một cây thốt nốt uy nghi: thân bằng vàng ròng, huy hoàng, có mười đỉnh cao như mười “đầu”, lại trang sức những đàn tế kỳ diệu.

Word by Word

• teṣu: in those
• teṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (pronoun/सर्वनाम), Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• sarveṣu: in all
• sarveṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adjective (विशेषण), Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• durgeṣu: in difficult/inaccessible places (forts, mountains)
• durgeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: durga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• sarassu: in lakes
• sarassu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural (बहुवचन); Vedic/epic locative plural form for सरस्सु (= सरःसु)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

• saritsu: in rivers
• saritsu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarit (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural (बहुवचन); epic form सरित्सु

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

• rāvaṇaḥ: Ravana
• rāvaṇaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• saha: together with
• saha: Sahakāraka (सहकारक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saha (अव्यय)
• Form: Postposition/indeclinable (सह-योगे अव्ययम्); governs Instrumental (तृतीया)

• vaidehyā: with Vaidehi (Sita)
• vaidehyā: Sahakāraka (सहकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaidehī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• mārgitavyaḥ: must be searched for
• mārgitavyaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: mṛg (धातु) + -tavya (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Gerundive/obligative (तव्यत्-कृदन्त), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); Passive necessity: “is to be searched for”

• tataḥ: from there / thence
• tataḥ: Deśa/Avadhi (देश/अवधि)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय)

• tataḥ: everywhere (lit. thence and thence)
• tataḥ: Deśa/Avadhi (देश/अवधि)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय); repetition indicates “here and there / everywhere”

Context

'Look for Vaidehi and Ravana all over those inaccessible mountains, lakes and rivers.

Characters & Entities

• Meru

FAQs

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

Dharma is reverence for sacred spaces: the verse treats the landscape as value-laden, teaching that righteousness includes honoring and learning from the world’s sanctified order.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva supplies vivid markers of the western quarter to guide the searchers’ mental map and perseverance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Attentiveness and preparedness—those on duty should note signs and landmarks carefully to fulfill the mission.