Shloka 5.23.6

राक्षसी-भर्त्सना (The Demonesses’ Coercive Counsel to Sītā)

Devanagari script

प्रजापतीनां षण्णां तु चतुर्थो यः प्रजापतिः।मानसो ब्रह्मणः पुत्रः पुलस्त्य इति विश्रुतः।।।।

Transliteration

prajāpatīnāṃ ṣaṇṇāṃ tu caturtho yaḥ prajāpatiḥ |

mānaso brahmaṇaḥ putraḥ pulastya iti viśrutaḥ ||

Translation

Among the six Prajāpatis, the fourth is famed as Pulastya, the mind-born son of Brahmā.

Context

'The mind-born son of Brahma is well known as Paulastya. He was the fourth among the six Prajapatis (Maricha, Atri, Angira, Pulastya, Plaha, Kratu).

Characters & Entities

• Pulastya
• Brahmā
• Prajāpatis

FAQs

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

Lineage and cosmic ancestry are invoked as persuasive authority; dharmically, noble birth is not sufficient proof of virtue—conduct (ācāra) determines righteousness.

What is the narrative situation?

Ekajaṭā tries to impress Sītā by narrating Rāvaṇa’s exalted ancestry beginning with Pulastya.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discernment (viveka) is demanded of the listener: the ability to separate rhetorical grandeur from moral truth.