Shloka 78

Rāma–Jāmadagnya-janma-kāraṇa and Kṣatra-kṣaya

Paraśurāma’s origins and the depletion/restoration of kṣatriya lineages

Devanagari script

शिबिपुत्रो महातेजा गोपतिर्नाम नामतः

Transliteration

śibiputro mahātejā gopatir nāma nāmataḥ

Translation

Vāsudeva said: “There was a son of Śibi, a man of great splendor, who was known by the name Gopati.”

Word by Word

• शिबिपुत्रः: the son of Śibi
• शिबिपुत्रः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिबि-पुत्र
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• महातेजाः: of great splendor/energy
• महातेजाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महातेजस्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• गोपतिः: Gopati (name/title: lord of cows/protector)
• गोपतिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोपति
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• नाम: name
• नाम: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: नामन्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• नामतः: by name; in name
• नामतः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नामतः
• Form: true

Speaker

वासुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vāsudeva
• Śibi
• Gopati

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse introduces an exemplary figure through lineage and reputation, setting up a didactic account where noble birth and personal brilliance (tejas) frame a discussion of dharma and righteous conduct.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vāsudeva begins a story by identifying its protagonist: an illustrious descendant of King Śibi named Gopati, preparing the listener for the moral or political lesson that follows.