Shloka 6.61.26

कुम्भकर्णदर्शनम् — The Appearance of Kumbhakarna and the Account of His Might

Devanagari script

विवृद्धःकाञ्चनोवृक्षःफलकालेनिकृत्यते ।न नप्तारंस्वकंन्यायंशप्तुमेवंप्रजापते ।।6.61.26।।

Transliteration

vivṛddhaḥ kāñcano vṛkṣaḥ phala-kāle nikṛtyate | na naptāraṁ svakaṁ nyāyaṁ śaptum evaṁ prajāpate ||

Translation

A golden tree, once fully grown, should not be cut down at the time of fruiting. O Prajāpati, it is not right to curse your own great-grandson in this way.

Context

"Oh Brahma! Cutting a golden tree at the stage of fruiting is not fair. It is not proper for you to curse your great grandson in that way."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Brahmā (Prajāpati)
• Kumbhakarṇa

FAQs

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

The verse raises a Dharma-question: should kinship soften punishment? The epic context suggests that justice for the world outweighs mere familial attachment.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa petitions Brahmā, arguing through an analogy that cursing Kumbhakarṇa (a descendant) is improper.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Persuasive speech (though self-interested): Rāvaṇa uses metaphor and appeals to propriety to influence a higher authority.