Shloka 1.66.24

शिवधनुर्न्यासकथा तथा सीतोत्पत्तिविवाहशुल्क-निश्चयः (The Bow of Śiva: Its Deposit, Sītā’s Origin, and the Prowess-Brideprice Vow)

Devanagari script

ततो भग्ना नृपतयो हन्यमाना दिशो ययु:।अवीर्या वीर्यसन्दिग्धा स्सामात्या: पापकर्मण:।।1.66.24।।

Transliteration

ātmānam avadhūtaṁ te vijñāya nṛpapuṅgavāḥ | roṣeṇa mahatāviṣṭāḥ pīḍayan mithilāṁ purīm || 1.66.21 ||

Translation

Those eminent kings, realizing they had been scorned, were possessed by great fury and began oppressing the city of Mithilā.

Context

Then those wicked kings who were exhausted were doubtful about their energy. They were beaten and defeated. They fled away along with their ministers in different directions.

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Viśvāmitra
• Mithilā
• Kings (unnamed)

FAQs

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

True kṣatriya-dharma requires self-mastery: feeling dishonored does not justify harming innocents or attacking a city.

What is the narrative situation?

The besieging kings intensify their hostility, turning their anger into direct oppression of Mithilā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Janaka’s responsibility as guardian of subjects is highlighted indirectly—oppression of the people becomes the moral fault of the aggressors.