Shloka 4.51.17

स्वयंप्रभा-प्रश्नोत्तरम् / Svayamprabha Explains the Golden Forest and Questions the Vanaras

Devanagari script

मम प्रियसखी हेमा नृत्तगीतविशारदा।।4.51.17।।तया दत्तवरा चास्मि रक्षामि भवनोत्तमम्।

Transliteration

mama priyasakhī hemā nṛttagītaviśāradā | tayā dattavarā cāsmi rakṣāmi bhavanottamam ||

Translation

Hēmā—skilled in dance and song—is my dear friend. By her I have been granted a boon; therefore I guard this excellent mansion.

Context

'Hema, well-versed in dance and music is a fast friend to me. She granted a boon (that none can resist me) and gave this house of which I am the care-taker.

Characters & Entities

• Svayaṃprabhā
• Hēmā
• bhavanottama (excellent mansion)
• vara (boon)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes loyalty and duty sustained by rightful authorization: friendship is acknowledged, but it culminates in responsible guardianship rather than self-serving use of power.

What is the narrative situation?

Svayaṃprabhā explains her relationship with Hēmā and why she has the capacity and mandate to protect the mansion.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Faithfulness—steadfastness to a entrusted role, supported by transparent truth about how that authority was obtained.