Shloka 58
Amba approaches the Paraśurāma context; Hotravāhana’s counsel and Akṛtavraṇa’s report (अम्बोपाख्यानम्—रामदर्शनप्रसङ्गः)
न होत्सहे स्वनगरं प्रतियातुं तपोधन । अपमानभयाच्चैव व्रीडया च महामुने
na hotsahe svanagaraṁ pratiyātuṁ tapodhana | apamānabhayāccaiva vrīḍayā ca mahāmune ||
Hotravāhana sprach: „O Asket, reich an Entsagung, ich habe nicht den Mut, in meine eigene Stadt zurückzukehren—aus Furcht vor Schmach und ebenso aus Scham, o großer Weiser.“
होत्रवाहन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear of dishonor and inner shame can restrain a person’s actions; it implicitly raises an ethical tension between social reputation and the courage to face consequences.
Hotravāhana addresses a great ascetic and confesses that he cannot return to his own city because he anticipates public humiliation and feels deep shame.