Shloka 15
यवक्रीत-वधः
The Slaying of Yavakrīta at Raibhya’s Hermitage
तमापततन्तं सम्प्रेक्ष्य शूलहस्तं जिघांसया । यवक्री: सहसोत्थाय प्राद्रवद् येन वै सर:,राक्षस शूल हाथमें लिये मुझे मार डालनेकी इच्छासे मेरी और दौड़ा आ रहा है, यह देखकर यवक्रीत सहसा उठे और उस मार्गसे भागे जो एक सरोवरकी ओर जाता था
tam āpatatantaṃ samprekṣya śūlahastaṃ jighāṃsayā | yavakrīḥ sahasotthāya prādravad yena vai saraḥ ||
Seeing the rākṣasa rushing at him with a spear in hand, intent on killing, Yavakrī at once sprang up and fled along the path that led to a lake—choosing immediate self-preservation over confrontation in the face of sudden, unlawful violence.
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
When confronted by sudden, unjust aggression, immediate prudence and protection of life can be a dharmic response; courage is not always expressed as fighting, but also as clear-sighted action to avoid needless harm.
A rākṣasa, holding a spear and intent on killing, charges toward Yavakrī. Yavakrī sees the danger, quickly rises, and runs away along the route leading to a lake.