Shloka 17

सिद्धाश्रमात् शोणातटं प्रस्थानम् — Departure from Siddhāśrama and the Invitation to Janaka’s Yajña

Bow of Mithilā

Devanagari script

तं प्रयान्तं मुनिवरमन्वयादनुसारिणम्।शकटीशतमात्रं तु प्रायेण ब्रह्मवादिनाम्।।1.31.17।।

Transliteration

taṃ prayāntaṃ munivaram anvayād anusāriṇam | śakaṭīśatamātraṃ tu prāyeṇa brahmavādinām || 1.31.17 ||

Translation

当最胜的圣仙继续前行时，宣说吠陀者随行其后；随从之众几近百车之数，护送着这支行列。

Word by Word

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रयान्तम्: going onward
• प्रयान्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-√या (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकाले कर्तरि कृदन्त (present active participle); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘तम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• मुनिवरम्: the best of sages
• मुनिवरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि-वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (वरः मुनिः)

• अन्वयात्: followed
• अन्वयात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु-√इ (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (imperfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• अनुसारिणम्: as one being followed/with followers
• अनुसारिणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनु-√सृ (धातु) + णिनि/इन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘following’ अर्थे विशेषणम् (of the followers/attendant)

• शकटीशतमात्रम्: only a hundred carts (in number)
• शकटीशतमात्रम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शकटी-शत-मात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः (शकटीशतम् एव मात्रम्) — परिमाणवाचक तत्पुरुष

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण/विरोधार्थक-अव्यय (particle: ‘but/indeed’)

• प्रायेण: nearly/for the most part
• प्रायेण: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्राय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाववत् प्रयोगः; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: ‘mostly/nearly’)

• ब्रह्मवादिनाम्: of the Veda-expounders
• ब्रह्मवादिनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्म-वादिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (ब्रह्मणः वादिनः)

Context

As Viswamitra, the best of ascetics set out on his journey, expounders of the Vedas followed him, nearly in one hundred carriages.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra

FAQs

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

Dharma here is expressed as reverent following of a realized guide: the Vedic expounders accompany the sage, showing disciplined respect for spiritual leadership and shared sacred purpose.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra departs from Siddhāśrama, and a large retinue of Veda-chanters/ascetics follows him as the group continues its journey.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Communal discipline and devotion to sacred learning—those devoted to the Veda willingly support and accompany the sage, reflecting steadiness and respect.