Shloka 3.11.55

पञ्चाप्सरो-सरः कथनम् तथा अगस्त्याश्रममार्गनिर्देशः (Panchapsara Lake Account and Directions to Agastya)

Devanagari script

निगृह्य तपसा मृत्युं लोकानां हितकाम्यया।।3.11.55।।यस्य भ्रात्रा कृतेयं दिक्छरण्या पुण्यकर्मणा।

Transliteration

nigṛhya tapasā mṛtyuṃ lokānāṃ hitakāmyayā ||

yasya bhrātrā kṛteyaṃ dik-śaraṇyā puṇya-karmaṇā |

Translation

By tapas he restrained Death itself, seeking the welfare of the worlds; by that brother, whose deeds are holy, this region has been made a refuge.

Characters & Entities

• Agastya’s brother (implied)
• Death (Mṛtyu, personified)
• the worlds/people (lokāḥ)
• this region (dik)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Loka-saṅgraha (welfare of all): true ascetic power is validated by compassion and protection—making a place safe for others.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama praises the sanctity and protective power of the sage’s brother, explaining why the area is a refuge.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The ascetic’s compassion-driven austerity: tapas directed toward public good rather than personal display.