Shloka 6.74.4

औषधिपर्वताहरणम् / The Retrieval of the Herb-Bearing Mountain

Devanagari script

तस्मैतुदत्तंपरमास्त्रमेतत्स्वयम्भुवाब्राह्मममोघवेगम् ।तन्मानयन्तौयुधिराजपुत्रौनिपातितौकोऽत्रविषादकालः ।।6.74.4।।

Transliteration

tasmai tu dattaṃ paramāstram etat svayambhuvā brāhmam amogha-vegam | tan mānayantau yudhi rāja-putrau nipātitau ko 'tra viṣāda-kālaḥ ||6.74.4||

Translation

Indeed, to him was granted by Svayambhū the supreme Brahmā-weapon, swift and unfailing. If such a missile is to be honored, the two princes have fallen in battle—what occasion is there here for grief?

Context

To him (Indrajith), the creator has conferred this weapon of Brahma endowed with terrific speed. To respect the missile both the princes have fallen. Why do you grieve?

Characters & Entities

• Indrajit (implied recipient of the weapon in context)
• Svayambhū (Brahmā/Creator)
• Brāhma-astra (Brahmā’s weapon)
• The two princes (Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, implied by rāja-putrau)

FAQs

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

Dharma is steadiness in adversity: when a lawful, powerful force has struck, one should not collapse into despair but respond with courage and right action.

What is the narrative situation?

A counselor explains that the princes’ fall is due to the unfailing Brahmā-weapon; since it was honored/accepted as inevitable, grief should give way to purposeful response.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fortitude (dhairya): the verse urges emotional restraint and clarity, aligning feeling with duty in wartime crisis.