Shloka 46

पश्चिमदिशि अन्वेषणादेशः

Instructions for the Western Search Party

Devanagari script

अन्तरा मेरुमस्तं च तालो दशशिरा महान्।जातरूपमय्शीमान्भ्राजते चित्रवेदिकः।।4.42.46।।

Transliteration

antarā merum astaṃ ca tālo daśaśirā mahān |

jātarūpamayaḥ śrīmān bhrājate citravedikaḥ || 4.42.46 ||

Translation

在须弥山（Meru）与落日之山阿斯塔（Asta）之间，有一株宏伟的棕榈树熠熠生辉：通体如金，光荣灿然，具十座高耸“首峰”，并饰以奇妙的祭坛。

Word by Word

• अन्तरा: between
• अन्तरा: अधिकरण/देश (Spatial relation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्तरा (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (उपपद/पूर्वसर्गसदृश; ‘between’ governing accusative)

• मेरुम्: Meru
• मेरुम्: सम्बन्ध (Object of ‘between’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; उपपद-सम्बन्ध (object with अन्तरा)

• अस्तम्: Asta (mountain)
• अस्तम्: सम्बन्ध (Object of ‘between’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; उपपद-सम्बन्ध (object with अन्तरा)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (समुच्चय/coordination particle)

• तालः: Tāla (palm; here a named peak/mountain)
• तालः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• दश-शिराः: ten-peaked/ten-headed
• दश-शिराः: विशेषण (Qualifier of कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दश + शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (‘one who has ten heads/peaks’); विशेषण (of तालः)

• महान्: great
• महान्: विशेषण (Qualifier of कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (of तालः)

• जातरूप-मयः: made of gold
• जातरूप-मयः: विशेषण (Qualifier of कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जातरूप + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘gold-made’; विशेषण

• श्रीमान्: splendid
• श्रीमान्: विशेषण (Qualifier of कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण

• भ्राजते: shines
• भ्राजते: क्रिया (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भ्राज् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• चित्र-वेदिकः: having wondrous platforms/altars
• चित्र-वेदिकः: विशेषण (Qualifier of कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्र + वेदिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (‘wonderful-altar(-ed)’); विशेषण (of तालः)

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.