Shloka 5.67.13

अभिज्ञानवृत्तान्त-प्रत्यायनम् (Token of Recognition and the Crow–Brahmāstra Episode)

Devanagari script

क्षिप्तवांस्त्वं प्रदीप्तं हि दर्भं तं वायसं प्रति।ततस्तु वायसं दीप्तस्स दर्भोऽनुजगाम ह।।।।

Transliteration

kṣiptavāṃs tvaṃ pradīptaṃ hi darbhaṃ taṃ vāyasaṃ prati |

tatas tu vāyasaṃ dīptaḥ sa darbho 'nujagāma ha ||

Translation

You cast that blazing blade of darbha toward the crow; and then the burning darbha pursued the crow relentlessly.

Context

'You hurled the blazing blade of grass on to the crow. That burning blade of grass chased the crow.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• darbha grass
• the crow (vāyasaḥ)

FAQs

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

Unrighteous acts invite inescapable consequence: once justice is set in motion, wrongdoing cannot be escaped by mere speed or status.

What is the narrative situation?

The empowered darbha (as Brahmāstra) chases the crow, showing the unstoppable force of invoked divine justice.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral seriousness in enforcement—Rama’s commitment that protection and justice are not merely declared but carried through.