Shloka 4
अलर्कोपाख्यानम् — Indriya-Nigraha and Yogic Victory
Mahābhārata 14.30
Devanagari script
स्थितस्य वृक्षमूलेषु तस्य चिन्ता बभूव ह । उत्सृज्य सुमहत्कर्म सूक्ष्म प्रति महामते
Transliteration
sthitasya vṛkṣamūleṣu tasya cintā babhūva ha | utsṛjya sumahat karma sūkṣmaṃ prati mahāmate ||
Translation
当他坐在树根之下时，心中生起深沉的忧思。放下宏大的外在事业，这位智者将心转向幽微的真理，内省沉思，寻求最为根本之要。
Word by Word
स्थितस्यof (him) being seated/standing
स्थितस्य:
Adhikarana
TypeAdjective
Rootस्थित (स्था धातु, क्त)
FormMasculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular
वृक्षin/at trees
वृक्ष:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootवृक्ष
FormMasculine, Locative, Plural
मूलेषुat the roots
मूलेषु:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootमूल
FormNeuter, Locative, Plural
तस्यof him
तस्य:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular
चिन्ताthought/anxiety
चिन्ता:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootचिन्ता
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
बभूवarose/was
बभूव:
TypeVerb
Rootभू
FormPerfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Singular
हindeed/for emphasis
ह:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootह
उत्सृज्यhaving abandoned
उत्सृज्य:
TypeVerb
Rootउत्-√सृज्
FormAbsolutive (Gerund), Parasmaipada (usage)
सुमहत्very great
सुमहत्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootसु-महत्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
कर्मaction/deed/undertaking
कर्म:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootकर्मन्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
सूक्ष्मम्subtle (principle/thing)
सूक्ष्मम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootसूक्ष्म
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
प्रतिtowards/with regard to
प्रति:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootप्रति
महामतेO great-minded one
महामते:
TypeNoun
Rootमहामति
FormMasculine, Vocative, Singular
Speaker
समुद्र उवाच
Characters & Entities
स
समुद्र (Samudra, the Ocean)व
वृक्ष (tree)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts external, grand undertakings with inward discernment: true wisdom may require laying aside impressive actions to pursue subtle truth through reflection and self-inquiry.
The speaker describes a wise person who, instead of beginning major works, sits beneath trees and becomes absorbed in thoughtful concern—turning attention toward subtle principles and deeper understanding.