Shloka 1

Devanagari script

.देवतानां वचश्श्रुत्वा भगवान्वै पितामह:।प्रत्युवाच सुसन्त्रस्तान्कृतान्तबलमोहितान्।।।।

Transliteration

devatānāṃ vacaḥ śrutvā bhagavān vai pitāmahaḥ |

pratyuvāca susantrastān kṛtānta-bala-mohitān || 1.40.1 ||

Translation

দেবতাদের বাক্য শ্রবণ করে—বিধির প্রবল শক্তিতে মোহিত ও অতিশয় ভীত সেই দেবগণকে—ভগবান পিতামহ ব্রহ্মা প্রত্যুত্তর দিলেন।

Word by Word

देवतानाम्of the gods

वचःwords

श्रुत्वाhaving heard

भगवान्the venerable Lord

वैindeed

पितामहःBrahmā (the grandsire)

प्रत्युवाचreplied

सुसन्त्रस्तान्the very frightened (ones)

कृतान्तबलमोहितान्those deluded by the power of fate

Context

The twin brothers Kusa and Lava, endowed with a melodious voice, possessed auspicious form and beauty. They were gandharvas in human form. They looked like the two reflected images of Rama. The contents of this epic, apart from being memorable are sweet and suitable for verbal recitation as well as singing. This charming and attractive kavya is fit to be adapted to the three measures of time and to stringed instruments. It possesses seven notes together with various moodsamorous, compassionate, humorous, heroic, fearful and also violent.

Characters & Entities

Brahmā (Pitāmaha)

devatāḥ (gods)

kṛtānta (fate/death)

FAQs

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

Dharma operates within a cosmic order: even gods face fear when destiny overwhelms, yet guidance is sought from a higher authority to restore right course.

What is the narrative situation?

The gods approach Brahmā in distress; Brahmā hears them and prepares to respond, setting up the next instruction in the Sagara episode.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prājñatā (wise governance): Brahmā’s role as stabilizing authority who responds to crisis with counsel aligned to cosmic law.