Shloka 1.62.4

शुनश्शेफरक्षा–विश्वामित्रशापः (Sunassepha’s Rescue and Visvamitra’s Curse)

Devanagari script

न मेऽस्ति माता न पिता ज्ञातयो बान्धवा: कुत:।।।।त्रातुमर्हसि मां सौम्य धर्मेण मुनिपुङ्गव।

Transliteration

na me 'sti mātā na pitā jñātayo bāndhavāḥ kutaḥ | trātum arhasi māṃ saumya dharmeṇa munipuṅgava ||

Translation

I have no mother, no father—where then are kinsmen or friends? O gentle one, O foremost of sages, you ought to protect me according to dharma.

Context

"O Noble man! O Pre-eminent among ascetics! I have no mother nor father nor friends nor relatives. You should protect me according to dharma.

Characters & Entities

• Śunaḥśepha
• Viśvāmitra
• dharma

FAQs

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

Protection of one who seeks refuge: dharma obliges the righteous to shelter the abandoned and vulnerable.

What is the narrative situation?

Śunaḥśepha explains his utter lack of support and formally requests the sage’s protection on dharmic grounds.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Appeal to righteousness and truth (satya-bhāva) rather than manipulation—he grounds his request in dharma.