Shloka 30

Tīrtha-yātrā: Phalaśruti and Sacred Geography from Lohitya to Prayāga

Pulastya’s Instruction

Devanagari script

अनया पितृभक्‍्त्या च विक्रमेण च ते विभो । वरं वृणीष्व भद्रं ते किमिच्छसि महाद्युते,पितरोंने कहा--महाभाग राम! परशुराम! भृगुनन्दन! विभो! हम तुम्हारी इस पितृभक्तिसे और तुम्हारे पराक्रमसे भी बहुत प्रसन्न हुए हैं। महाद्युते! तुम्हारा कल्याण हो। तुम कोई वर माँगो। बोलो, क्या चाहते हो?

Transliteration

anayā pitṛ-bhaktyā ca vikrameṇa ca te vibho | varaṁ vṛṇīṣva bhadraṁ te kim icchasi mahā-dyute ||

Translation

The Pitṛs said: “O mighty one, we are greatly pleased with your filial devotion and with your valor. May good befall you, O radiant hero. Choose a boon—tell us, what do you desire?”

Word by Word

• {'anayā': 'by this (act/this manner)', 'pitṛ-bhaktyā': 'with devotion to one’s fathers/ancestors

• filial piety', 'ca': 'and', 'vikrameṇa': 'with prowess, heroic valor', 'te': 'of you/your

• to you', 'vibho': 'O powerful one, O lord', 'varam': 'a boon, a gift of grace', 'vṛṇīṣva': 'choose (imperative, 2nd person singular)', 'bhadram': 'welfare, auspicious good', 'bhadram te': 'may auspiciousness be yours

• blessings upon you', 'kim': 'what?', 'icchasi': 'do you desire/wish', 'mahā-dyute': 'O greatly radiant one

Speaker

घुलस्त्य उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Pitṛs (ancestral fathers)
• Rāma (Paraśurāma, Bhṛgunandana)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse links ethical excellence to two virtues: pitṛ-bhakti (reverent duty toward one’s ancestors) and vikrama (courage used in righteous action). When these are harmonized, they earn the elders’ approval and open the way for grace (vara), implying that power is best legitimized by devotion and duty.

What is happening in the narrative?

The ancestral fathers (Pitṛs) address Rāma/Paraśurāma, praising his filial devotion and heroic prowess. Pleased, they bless him and invite him to choose a boon, asking what he wishes to receive.