Shloka 186

Sāvitrī–Satyavān Vivāha: Kanyāpradāna and Āśrama-Śīla (सावित्री-सत्यवान्विवाहः)

Devanagari script

रक्षार्थे लक्ष्मणं न्यस्य प्रययौ मृगलिप्सया । विधिके विधानसे प्रेरित होकर सीताने उस मृगको लानेके लिये श्रीरामचन्द्रजीको भेजा। श्रीरामचन्द्रजी सीताका प्रिय करनेके लिये धनुष हाथमें ले लक्ष्मणको सीताकी रक्षाका भार सौंपकर मृगको लानेकी इच्छासे तुरंत चल दिये

Transliteration

rakṣārthe lakṣmaṇaṁ nyasya prayayau mṛga-lipsayā |

Translation

マールカンデーヤは語った。護りの務めをラクシュマナに託すと、彼は鹿を得たいという欲求に駆られ、ただちに出立した。この出来事は道義の緊張を示す。たとえ善意—愛する者を喜ばせたい—からの行いであっても、警戒と守護の責務が緩めば、庇護を受ける者を危難にさらし得るのである。

Word by Word

• रक्षार्थे: for the purpose of protection
• रक्षार्थे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षा-अर्थ
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• लक्ष्मणम्: Lakshmana
• लक्ष्मणम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्ष्मण
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• न्यस्य: having entrusted/placing (in charge)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + अस्
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund), Parasmaipada (usage)

• प्रययौ: went forth
• प्रययौ: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + या
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), Third, Singular, Parasmaipada

• मृग-लिप्सया: with the desire to obtain a deer
• मृग-लिप्सया: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृग + लिप्सा
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

Speaker

मार्कण्डेय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Mārkaṇḍeya
• Lakṣmaṇa
• the deer (mṛga)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the primacy of protective duty (rakṣā-dharma): even when acting from affection or good intention, one must weigh risks and ensure that dependents are not left vulnerable.

What is happening in the narrative?

After assigning Lakṣmaṇa to guard, the protagonist departs to pursue and obtain a deer, setting in motion circumstances where the guarded person may become exposed to danger.