Shloka 18
Rāma–Jāmadagnya-janma-kāraṇa and Kṣatra-kṣaya
Paraśurāma’s origins and the depletion/restoration of kṣatriya lineages
मात्रासि व्यंसिता भद्रे चरुव्यत्यासहेतुना । भविष्यति हि ते पुत्र: क्रूरकर्मात्यमर्षण:
mātrāsi vyaṁsitā bhadre caruvyatyāsahetunā | bhaviṣyati hi te putraḥ krūrakarmātyamarṣaṇaḥ ||
Vāyu sprach: «O sanfte Frau, weil die Opfergabe (caru) vertauscht wurde, ist dein Maß aus dem Gleichgewicht geraten. Darum wird dir gewiss ein Sohn geboren werden—dessen Taten hart sein werden und dessen Gemüt von unerbittlicher Unverträglichkeit ist.»
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links ritual disorder (the exchanged caru) with moral-psychological consequence: when the proper measure and order are disturbed, the resulting fruit may manifest as a harsh disposition. It underscores causality (karma/hetu) and the ethical weight of correct intention and procedure.
Vāyudeva addresses a woman respectfully and explains that a transposition in the sacrificial oblation has disrupted the intended allotment. He then foretells that her son will be born with a cruel, intolerant temperament as a consequence of that ritual reversal.