Shloka 16

ताटकावृत्तान्तः

The Account of Tāṭakā and the Royal Duty to Protect

Devanagari script

न हि ते स्त्रीवधकृते घृणा कार्या नरोत्तम।चातुर्वण्यहितार्थाय कर्तव्यं राजसूनुना।।।।

Transliteration

na hi te strī-vadha-kṛte ghṛṇā kāryā narottama | cāturvarṇya-hitārthāya kartavyaṃ rājasūnunā ||

Translation

হে নরশ্রেষ্ঠ! নারী-বধের কর্ম বলে কেবল করুণায় পিছিয়ে যাওয়া তোমার উচিত নয়; চাতুর্বর্ণ্যের কল্যাণার্থে রাজপুত্রের যা কর্তব্য, তাই করা উচিত।

Word by Word

नnot

हिindeed

तेto you

स्त्रीवधकृतेin the matter of woman-slaying

घृणाpity/compassion

कार्याshould be done/shown

नरोत्तमO best of men

चातुर्वण्यहितार्थायfor the welfare of the four orders

कर्तव्यम्must be done

राजसूनुनाby a prince

Context

O best among men you need not hate killing a woman. You are a prince. You should serve the interest of the four orders of the society.

Characters & Entities

Viśvāmitra

Rāma

FAQs

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

Rājadharma: a ruler (or prince) must act for the protection and welfare of society, even when the required action is personally painful or socially sensitive.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra instructs Rāma to kill Tātakā and counters Rāma’s hesitation about committing violence against a woman.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness in duty (kartavya-niṣṭhā) and prioritizing public welfare over personal reluctance.