Shloka 3.11.61

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

Devanagari script

ब्राह्माणानां सहस्राणि तैरेवं कामरूपिभिः।।।।विनाशितानि संहत्य नित्यशः पिशिताशनैः।

Transliteration

brāhmaṇānāṃ sahasrāṇi tair evaṃ kāmarūpibhiḥ | vināśitāni saṃhatya nityaśaḥ piśitāśanaiḥ || 3.11.61 ||

Translation

Thus, thousands of Brahmins were destroyed day after day by those flesh-eating demons who could assume any form at will.

Context

In this manner, thousands of brahmins used to be killed daily by those carnivorous demons who assumed any form at their free will.

Characters & Entities

• brāhmaṇa (brahmins)
• kāmarūpin (shape-shifters; rakṣasas implied)
• piśitāśin (flesh-eaters; rakṣasas implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires safeguarding those who uphold sacred learning and rites; systematic harm to them is presented as a sign of societal collapse into adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

The text summarizes the ongoing pattern of killings carried out by the deceptive, shape-shifting demons, emphasizing the scale and regularity of the crime.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness in protecting the vulnerable and maintaining ṛta/dharma—an implicit call for righteous intervention against repeated injustice.