Shloka 1.25.14

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

Devanagari script

एनां राघव दुर्वृत्तां यक्षीं परमदारुणाम्।गोब्राह्मणहितार्थाय जहि दुष्टपराक्रमाम्।।।।

Transliteration

enāṃ rāghava durvṛttāṃ yakṣīṃ parama-dāruṇām | go-brāhmaṇa-hitārthāya jahi duṣṭa-parākramām || 1.25.14 ||

Translation

O Rāghava, slay this yakṣī—wicked and exceedingly cruel, of perverse might—for the welfare of cows and brāhmaṇas.

Context

O Rama for the welfare of cows and brahmins, slay this yakshini who is wicked, extremely cruel and possessing vile prowess.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Rāma (Rāghava)
• Tāṭakā
• Cows (go)
• Brāhmaṇas

FAQs

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

Kṣatriya-dharma: force may be used to protect the innocent and uphold social-sacred welfare (go and brāhmaṇa), when a violent threat endangers the community.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra explicitly commands Rāma to kill Tāṭakā, framing it as a protective act for society and sacred order.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s role as protector (rakṣaka): courage guided by dharma rather than personal anger.