Shloka 1.25.12

ताटकावृत्तान्तः — The Account of Tāṭakā and the Royal Duty to Protect

Devanagari script

अगस्त्य: परमक्रुद्धस्ताटकामपि शप्तवान्।।1.25.11।।पुरुषादी महायक्षी विरूपा विकृतानना।इदं रूपं विहायाथ दारुणं रूपमस्तु ते।।1.25.12।।

Transliteration

puruṣādī mahā-yakṣī virūpā vikṛtānanā | idaṃ rūpaṃ vihāyātha dāruṇaṃ rūpam astu te || 1.25.12 ||

Translation

“Become a man-eater—O great yakṣī, misshapen and of hideous face. Abandon this form; henceforth, let a dreadful form be yours.”

Context

Mighty angry, Agastya cursed Tataka saying, 'Abandon this form of a great yakshini and assume the terrible figure of a rakshasi, a cannibal with distorted appearance and a hideous countenance'.

Characters & Entities

• Agastya
• Tāṭakā
• Yakṣī
• Rākṣasī (implied by dreadful form)

FAQs

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

Adharma deforms identity: the verse frames moral corruption as leading to a dreadful state, warning that violent intent reshapes one’s nature.

What is the narrative situation?

The content of Agastya’s curse is stated: Tāṭakā is condemned to a terrifying, predatory existence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The ascetic’s truth-bearing speech (satya-vāk): words of a realized sage are depicted as decisive and reality-shaping.