Shloka 6

अंशुमान्—अश्वान्वेषणम्, दिशागजसंवादः, कपिलदाहवृत्तान्तः, गङ्गोपदेशः

Anshuman’s Search for the Horse and the Counsel to Bring Ganga

Devanagari script

स खातं पितृभिर्मार्गमन्तर्भौमं महात्मभि:।प्रापद्यत नरश्रेष्ठ तेन राज्ञाऽभिचोदित:।।।।

Transliteration

sa khātaṃ pitṛbhir mārgam antarbhaumaṃ mahātmabhiḥ | prāpadyata naraśreṣṭha tena rājñā ’bhicoditaḥ ||

Translation

奉王命令——噢，人中至杰——他循着那由其高贵而伟大的叔父们所掘出的地下通道前行。

Word by Word

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (तद् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• khātam: dug
• khātam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √khan (खन् धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Kta-participle, Napuṃsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; qualifies 'mārgam' (dug)

• pitṛbhiḥ: by the forefathers
• pitṛbhiḥ: Kartṛ (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana

• mārgam: path
• mārgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mārga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• antarbhaumam: subterranean
• antarbhaumam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: antar-bhauma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; qualifies 'mārgam'

• mahātmabhiḥ: by the noble ones
• mahātmabhiḥ: Kartṛ (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā-ātman (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; 'by the great-souled ones' (qualifying pitṛbhiḥ)

• prāpadyata: entered / followed
• prāpadyata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra√pad (पद् धातु)
• Form: Laṅ lakāra (Imperfect/Past), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana; ātmanepada

• naraśreṣṭha: O best of men
• naraśreṣṭha: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara-śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Sambodhana vibhakti (Vocative), Ekavacana; address to listener

• tena: by him / by that
• tena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (तद् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga/Napuṃsaka, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana

• rājñā: by the king
• rājñā: Kartṛ (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana

• abhicoditaḥ: urged / directed
• abhicoditaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhi√cud (चुद् धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Kta-participle, Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; 'having been urged/directed' qualifies 'saḥ'

Context

The mighty king (Sagara), over a long period of time without being able to devise means (to bring Ganga down to the earth), ruled the kingdom for thirty thousand years and ascended to heaven".ইত্যার্ষে শ্রীমদ্রামাযণে বাল্মীকীয আদিকাব্যে বালকাণ্ডে একচত্বারিংশস্সর্গ:৷৷Thus ends the fortyfirst sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Anśumān
• Sagara
• Sagara’s sons (uncles of Anśumān)

FAQs

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

Respect for rightful authority and continuity of family duty: Anśumān advances the unfinished task of his elders under the king’s command.

What is the narrative situation?

Anśumān descends into the earth along the tunnel previously made by Sagara’s sons while searching for the sacrificial horse.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śraddhā and obedience—trust in the mission and willingness to undertake hardship for a righteous cause.