Shloka 22
Rāma–Jāmadagnya-janma-kāraṇa and Kṣatra-kṣaya
Paraśurāma’s origins and the depletion/restoration of kṣatriya lineages
पपात शिरसा तस्मै वेपन्ती चाब्रवीदिदम् नाहोंडसि भगवन्नद्य वक्तुमेवंविधं वच: । ब्राह्मणापसद ं पुत्र प्राप्स्यसीति हि मां प्रभो
papāta śirasā tasmai vepantī cābravīd idam | nāhaṃ ’ḍasi bhagavann adya vaktum evaṃvidhaṃ vacaḥ | brāhmaṇāpasadaṃ putra prāpsyasīti hi māṃ prabho ||
Trembling, she fell at his feet with her head bowed and said: “O Lord, O Blessed One—do not speak such words to me today. Do not tell me, ‘You will bear a son who will be a disgrace among brāhmaṇas.’”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical gravity of speech: harsh or dishonoring words can wound deeply, especially when they imply adharma or social-spiritual degradation. It also reflects the dharmic concern for progeny and reputation within varṇa-āśrama norms.
Satyavatī, distressed by Vāyudeva’s statement implying she would bear a ‘brāhmaṇāpasada’ son, bows down in fear and humility and begs him not to utter such a prediction or insult.