Shloka 28
Kārtika-Māhātmya
The Greatness of Kārtika
रतं देवि त्वया सार्द्धं मया संवत्सरान्बहून् । तवापमानभीतेन नोक्तं किञ्चिदपि क्वचित् ॥ २८ ॥
rataṃ devi tvayā sārddhaṃ mayā saṃvatsarānbahūn | tavāpamānabhītena noktaṃ kiñcidapi kvacit || 28 ||
おお女神よ、私は幾年もあなたと親しく結ばれて暮らしてきた。だが、あなたの不興と侮りを恐れて、私はいついかなる時も何ひとつ口にしなかった。
Unspecified male speaker addressing a Devi (narrative dialogue within Uttara-Bhaga)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It highlights how fear of reproach can suppress truthful speech, implying the dharmic need for courageous, respectful communication rather than silence born of intimidation.
Indirectly, it contrasts fear-based restraint with sincere expression; bhakti texts often value straightforward, humble truthfulness (satya) over guarded silence, especially in relationships shaped by reverence.
A Vyakarana-linked takeaway appears in the clear construction of compounds like 'apamāna-bhīta' (fear of insult) and the emphatic negation pattern 'na uktam kiñcid api kvacit'—useful for interpreting narrative Sanskrit precisely.