Shloka 145

कर्णेन युधिष्ठिरानीकविदारणम् / Karṇa’s Breach of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Battle-Line

Devanagari script

राम उवाच का शक्तिर्मम देवेश अकृतास्त्रस्य संयुगे

Transliteration

rāma uvāca kā śaktir mama deveśa akṛtāstrasya saṁyuge

Translation

Rāma said: “O Lord of the gods, what power do I have in battle, when I am without my weapons and their consecrated use?”

Word by Word

रामःRama

उवाचsaid

काwhat (which?)

शक्तिःpower, capability

ममof me, my

देवेशO lord of gods

अकृतास्त्रस्यof one who has not prepared/used missiles (unarmed, without weapon-magic)

संयुगेin battle

Speaker

राम उवाच

Characters & Entities

Rāma

Deveśa

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights humility and realism in dharmic action: courage alone is not enough—right preparation, rightful means, and (when appropriate) reliance on higher guidance are essential before entering conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Rama addresses a divine lord, questioning how he can be effective in combat when he is not properly armed or prepared with weapons—an admission of limitation that frames the need for counsel, empowerment, or proper arming before battle.