Shloka 2.70.23

भरतस्य दूतसमागमः तथा केकयराजनः अनुज्ञा (Bharata Meets the Messengers; Kekaya King Grants Leave)

Devanagari script

अन्तःपुरेऽति संवृद्धान् व्याघ्रवीर्यबलान्वितान्। दंष्ट्राऽऽयुधान्महाकायान् शुनश्चोपायनं ददौ।।2.70.23।।

Transliteration

antaḥpure'ti saṃvṛddhān vyāghravīryabalānvitān | daṃṣṭrāyudhān mahākāyān śunaś copāyanaṃ dadau ||2.70.23||

Translation

He also presented as a gift dogs reared in the inner quarters—huge-bodied, endowed with tiger-like valor and strength, their fangs serving as weapons.

Context

He also gave him a gift of well-raised dogs of the inner apartment huge-bodied with the strength and courage of tigers who used their fangs as weapons.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• dogs (śunaḥ)
• inner apartments (antaḥpura)

FAQs

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

Dharma as protection and preparedness: safeguarding a righteous prince’s travel and mission is treated as a legitimate royal responsibility.

What is the narrative situation?

Among the farewell provisions, Bharata is given strong, specially reared dogs as part of royal accompaniment and protection.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Care and responsibility—ensuring Bharata’s safety through appropriate means, consistent with royal duty (rājadharma).