Shloka 3.11.68

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

Devanagari script

तस्यायमाश्रमो भ्रातुस्तटाकवनशोभितः।।।।विप्रानुकम्पया येन कर्मेदं दुष्करं कृतम्।

Transliteration

tasyāyam āśramo bhrātus taṭākavanaśobhitaḥ | viprānukampayā yena karmedaṃ duṣkaraṃ kṛtam || 3.11.68 ||

Translation

This is his brother’s hermitage, adorned with lakes and forests—belonging to one who, out of compassion for brahmins, accomplished this difficult deed.

Context

This hermitage surrounded by beautiful lakes and forests belongs to his brother (Sudarsana). Out of sympathy for Agastya, he has accomplished this difficult task.

Characters & Entities

• āśrama (hermitage)
• taṭāka (lakes)
• vana (forests)
• vipra (brahmins)
• bhrātṛ (brother; unnamed in provided snippet)

FAQs

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

Anukampā (compassion) toward the righteous—especially those devoted to learning and ritual—is presented as a dhārmic motive that can justify and empower difficult protective actions.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration points to a hermitage associated with the episode, describing it as naturally beautiful and linked to a hard-won protective accomplishment.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Compassion joined with resolve: the ability to undertake ‘duṣkara’ (hard) work for the welfare of others, aligning power with dharma.