Shloka 21

Rāma’s Abhiṣeka Plan, Kaikeyī’s Boon, and the Initiation of the Exile

Mārkaṇḍeya’s Account

Devanagari script

तथा तमुउ्छधर्माणं दुर्वासा मुनिसत्तमम्‌ । उपतस्थे यथाकालं षट्कृत्व: कृतनिश्चय:,इस प्रकार उज्छधर्मका पालन करनेवाले मुनिश्रेष्ठ मुदुगलके घरपर महर्षि दुर्वासा उनका धैर्य छुड़ानेका दृढ़ निश्चय लेकर लगातार छः बार ठीक पर्वके समय उपस्थित हुए

Transliteration

tathā tam ucchadharmāṇaṃ durvāsā munisattamam | upatasthe yathākālaṃ ṣaṭkṛtvaḥ kṛtaniścayaḥ ||

Translation

So then, the sage Durvāsā—firmly resolved—came at the proper times again and again, six times in all, to the house of the foremost ascetic Mudgala, who was faithfully observing the austere vow of living on gleanings, intending to test and unsettle his steadfast patience.

Word by Word

तथाthus, in that manner

तम्him

उच्छधर्माणम्one observing the uच्छ-dharma (gleaning/leftover-grain vow)

दुर्वासाDurvāsā

मुनिसत्तमम्the best of sages

उपतस्थेapproached, waited upon, presented himself

यथाकालम्at the proper time

षट्कृत्वःsix times

कृतनिश्चयःhaving made a firm resolve; resolute

Speaker

व्यास उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vyāsa

Durvāsā

Mudgala

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Steadfast dharma is proven through repeated trials: true self-control and patience do not depend on comfort or a single success, but remain firm even when deliberately tested.

What is happening in the narrative?

Durvāsā repeatedly arrives at the right ritual/meal times—six times—at Mudgala’s home. Mudgala lives by the austere practice of gleaning (uccha-dharma), and Durvāsā comes with a determined intent to test whether Mudgala’s composure and virtue can be shaken.