Shloka 1.28.4

अस्त्रग्रहणं संहारोपदेशश्च — Receiving the Astras and Instruction on Withdrawal

Devanagari script

सत्यवन्तं सत्यकीर्तिं धृष्टं रभसमेव च।प्रतिहारतरं नाम पराङ्मुखमवाङ्मुखम्।।1.28.4।।लक्षाक्षविषमौ चैव दृढनाभसुनाभकौ।दशाक्षशतवक्त्रौ च दशशीर्षशतोदरौ।।1.28.5।।पद्मनाभमहानाभौ दुन्दुनाभसुनाभकौ।ज्योतिषं कृशनं चैव नैराश्यविमलावुभौ।।1.28.6।।योगन्धरहरिद्रौ च दैत्यप्रशमनौतथा।सार्चिर्माली धृतिर्माली वृत्तिमान् रुचिरस्तथा।।1.28.7।।पितृसौमनसं चैव विधूतमकरावुभौ।करवीरकरं चैव धनधान्यौ च राघव।।1.28.8।।कामरूपं कामरुचिं मोहमावरणं तथा।जृम्भकं सर्वनाभं च सन्तानवरणौ तथा।।1.28.9।।भृशाश्वतनयान् राम भास्वरान्कामरूपिण:।प्रतीच्छ मम भद्रं ते पात्रभूतोऽसि राघव।।1.28.10।।

Transliteration

satyavantaṃ satyakīrtiṃ dhṛṣṭaṃ rabhasam eva ca | pratihārataraṃ nāma parāṅmukham avāṅmukham || 1.28.4 ||

Translation

“These are Satyavanta, Satyakīrti, Dhṛṣṭa, and Rabhasa; and also one named Pratihāratara, along with Parāṅmukha and Avāṅmukha,” he said, listing the radiant weapon-deities.

Context

"O Rama the descendant of Raghu, receive from me the effulgent weapons who are the sons of Bhrusasva and who are capable of changing forms at will. They are Satyavanta, Satyakirti, Dhrishta, Rabhasa, Pratiharatara, Paranmukha (turned back wards), Avanmukha (turned downwards), Lakshaksha, Vishama, Drudhanabha and Sunabha, Dasaksha, Satavaktra, Dasasheersha and Satodara, Padamanabha and Mahanabha, Dundunabha and Sunabhaka, Jyotisha, Krusanam, both Nairasya and Vimala, Yogandhara, Haridradaitya, Prasamana, Sarchirmali, Dhri, Mali, Vrtiimanta, also Ruchira, Pitrusaumanasa, bothVidhuta Makara, Karaveera Kara, Dhana, Dhanya, Kama Roopa, Kamaruchi, Moha, also Avarana, Jrumbhaka, Sarvanabha, also Santhana and Varuna. You are worthy of receiving these weapons. May you prosper.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Rāma
• Satyavanta
• Satyakīrti
• Dhṛṣṭa
• Rabhasa
• Pratihāratara
• Parāṅmukha
• Avāṅmukha

FAQs

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

Knowledge is transmitted with responsibility: the naming and orderly handing over of powers symbolizes regulated learning rather than reckless acquisition.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra begins enumerating the effulgent, personified astras (weapon-powers) that he is granting to Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s worthiness (implied in the larger passage) to receive sacred power, and the teacher’s careful, structured instruction.