Shloka 4.59.9

सम्पातिवाक्यम् (Sampati’s Intelligence Report on Sita’s Abduction)

Devanagari script

तीक्ष्णकामास्तु गन्धर्वास्तीक्ष्णकोपा भुजङ्गमाः।मृगाणां तु भयं तीक्ष्णं ततस्तीक्ष्णक्षुधा वयम्।।।।

Transliteration

tīkṣṇakāmās tu gandharvās tīkṣṇakopā bhujaṅgamāḥ |

mṛgāṇāṃ tu bhayaṃ tīkṣṇaṃ tatas tīkṣṇakṣudhā vayam ||

Translation

Gandharvas are driven by fierce desire; serpents by fierce wrath. Deer live in intense fear—and so we, the vultures, are driven by intense hunger.

Context

'Gandharvas have intense passion. Serpents show violent anger. Deer have great fear. And we vultures have great hunger.

Characters & Entities

• Gandharva
• bhujaṅgama (serpents)
• mṛga (deer)
• vultures (gṛdhra implied by 'vayam')

FAQs

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

It highlights how different beings are dominated by powerful impulses (desire, anger, fear, hunger). The dharmic lesson is to recognize such drives and not let them override righteous conduct and truthful judgment.

What is the narrative situation?

The verse is framed as an observation about natural temperaments—contrasting celestial beings, animals, and vultures—implying how instinct can shape behavior (exact scene needs surrounding verses).

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discernment and self-restraint: understanding the force of impulses is the first step toward governing them in line with dharma.