Shloka 4.35.8

तारोपदेशः — Tara’s Counsel to Lakshmana (Restraint, Time, and Mobilization)

Devanagari script

स हि प्राप्तं न जानीते कालं कालविदां वरः।विश्वामित्रो महातेजाः किं पुनर्यः पृथग्जनः।।।।

Transliteration

sa hi prāptaṃ na jānīte kālaṃ kāla-vidāṃ varaḥ | viśvāmitro mahā-tejāḥ kiṃ punaḥ yaḥ pṛthag-janaḥ ||

Translation

If even the radiant Viśvāmitra—foremost among those who understand time—failed to recognize the moment that had come, what more can be expected of an ordinary person?

Context

'If the brilliant and the most distinguished of those who knew the value of time did not realise the passing of time, what can be said of an ordinary person?

Characters & Entities

• Tārā
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Viśvāmitra

FAQs

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

Dharma includes compassion in assessment: recognizing human limitations encourages corrective guidance rather than destructive anger.

What is the narrative situation?

Tārā argues that if a great sage could lose time-awareness, Sugrīva’s lapse is understandable and should be handled with restraint.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Lakṣmaṇa is implicitly guided toward forbearance (kṣamā) and proportionate response—virtues aligned with dharma.