Shloka 1.28.11

अस्त्रग्रहणं संहारोपदेशश्च — Receiving the Astras and Instruction on Withdrawal

Devanagari script

बाढमित्येव काकुत्स्थ: प्रहृष्टेनान्तारात्मना।

दिव्यभास्वरदेहाश्च मूर्तिमन्तस्सुखप्रदा:।।1.28.11

केचिदङ्गारसदृशा: केचिद्धूमोपमास्तथा।

चन्द्रार्कसदृशा: केचित्प्रह्वाञ्जलिपुटास्तथा।।1.28.12।।

रामं प्राञ्जलयो भूत्वाऽब्रुवन् मधुरभाषिण:।

इमे स्म नरशार्दूल शाधि किं करवाम ते।।1.28.13।।

Transliteration

bāḍham ity eva kākutsthaḥ prahṛṣṭenāntarātmanā |

divyabhāsvaradehāś ca mūrtimantaḥ sukhapradāḥ ||

Translation

“So be it,” said Kākutstha, his inmost heart filled with joy. And those weapon-deities, with divine and radiant bodies, assumed visible form and became bestowers of reassurance and well-being.

Context

"Certainly!" said Rama, and with a delighted heart received the astras. Some of the astra devatas were coat black, some like smoke, some resembled rays of Sun or Moon. Assuming corporal forms, with shining, divine bodies, those weapons the their bodies bent down and palms folder they spoke to Rama in a gentle voice: "O tiger among men, here we are, What can we do for you"?

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (Kākutstha)
• Astra-devatās (personified weapons)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes inner consent aligned with right purpose: Rāma’s calm affirmation and pure intent become the basis for divine powers to manifest beneficially.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma accepts the astras; the weapon-deities manifest in embodied, radiant forms around him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sattva (clarity and steadiness): Rāma’s inward joy is not excitement for violence, but readiness for righteous duty.