Shloka 14

त्रिशङ्कुशापः

Trishanku’s Curse and Appeal to Viśvāmitra

Devanagari script

कारुण्यात्स महातेजा वाक्यं परमधार्मिक:।इदं जगाद भद्रं ते राजानं घोररूपिणम्।।।।

Transliteration

kāruṇyāt sa mahātejā vākyaṃ paramadhārmikaḥ |

idaṃ jagāda bhadraṃ te rājānaṃ ghora-rūpiṇam ||1.58.14||

Translation

করুণাবশে সেই মহাতেজস্বী, পরমধার্মিক মুনি ভয়ংকর রূপধারী রাজাকে বললেন—“তোমার মঙ্গল হোক।”

Word by Word

• कारुण्यात्: out of compassion
• कारुण्यात्: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कारुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; हेतौ (cause): ‘out of compassion’

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• महातेजाः: mighty/very radiant
• महातेजाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महातेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (greatly radiant/powerful)

• वाक्यम्: speech/words
• वाक्यम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• परमधार्मिकः: supremely righteous
• परमधार्मिकः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम + धार्मिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (supremely righteous)

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म/Object; of jagāda)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• जगाद: said/spoke
• जगाद: Kriyā (क्रिया/Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गद् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• भद्रम्: welfare/good
• भद्रम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध; benedictive expression)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; आशीर्वादार्थक प्रयोग (benedictive noun): ‘welfare’

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान/Beneficiary)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (Genitive) एकवचन; ‘to/for you’ (enclitic)

• राजानम्: the king
• राजानम्: Karma (कर्म/Object; addressed/mentioned)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• घोररूपिणम्: of dreadful appearance
• घोररूपिणम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोर + रूपिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (having a terrible form)

Context

Exceedingly energetic and deeply pious, he looked at the king who was frightful in appearance and addressed him with compassion saying, "welfare to you".

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Triśaṅku

FAQs

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

Dharma is expressed through kind speech at the first moment of encounter—offering blessing and safety even to one who appears frightening or socially rejected.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra, moved by pity, begins his conversation with the cursed Triśaṅku by offering a benevolent greeting.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Benevolence and fearlessness: addressing the ‘ghora-rūpin’ king with goodwill rather than aversion.