Shloka 1.24.26

गङ्गा–सरयू-सङ्गमः, मलद–करूश-देशकथा, ताटकावनप्रवेशोपदेशः (The Confluence of Gaṅgā and Sarayū; the Tale of Malada–Karūśa; Counsel on Tātakā’s Forest)

Devanagari script

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य यक्षी वै कामरूपिणी।बलं नागसहस्रस्य धारयन्ती तदा ह्यभूत्।।1.24.25।। ताटका नाम भद्रं ते भार्या सुन्दस्य धीमत:। 2मारीचो राक्षस: पुत्रो यस्याश्शक्रपराक्रम:।।1.24.26।।

Transliteration

vṛttabāhur mahāvīryo vipulāsyaḥ tanur mahān |

rākṣaso bhairavākāro nityaṃ trāsayate prajāḥ || 1.24.27 ||

Translation

A rākṣasa with rounded, powerful arms—great in energy, broad-faced and huge-bodied—terrifying in form, continually tormented the people.

Context

Then, after a lapse of several years, O gentle one a terrible yakshini by name Tataka, wife of intelligent Sunda, capable of assuming different forms at will, possessed of the strength of a thousand elephants and mother of a rakshasa known as Maricha armed with the power of Indra took possession of this place.

Characters & Entities

• Rākṣasa (here, contextually linked with Mārīca from prior verse)
• Prajāḥ (the inhabitants/subjects)

FAQs

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

Dharma prioritizes protection of the innocent: when the people live in constant fear, restoring safety becomes a righteous obligation for those capable of acting.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration describes the terrifying rākṣasa who continuously frightens the inhabitants, intensifying the urgency of the impending confrontation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kṣātra responsibility (heroic duty): the need for courageous intervention against ongoing harm to the populace.