Shloka 32
Kāṣṭhīlā-Ākhyāna: Ratnāvalī’s Return, Co-wife Dharma, and the Phālguna Propitiation
सुतैषा धर्मभीता मे त्वामेव शरणं गता । यदर्थं निहतः कांतस्त्वया पूर्वतरः सति ॥ ३२ ॥
sutaiṣā dharmabhītā me tvāmeva śaraṇaṃ gatā | yadarthaṃ nihataḥ kāṃtastvayā pūrvataraḥ sati || 32 ||
このわが娘は、自らのダルマを恐れて、ただあなたのみを拠り所として参りました。いかなる理由で、徳ある御方よ、彼女の愛する人は以前あなたに殺されたのですか。
Unspecified narrator within the Tirtha-Mahatmya dialogue (a male petitioner addressing a virtuous woman)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It highlights śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) grounded in dharma: when moral fear and confusion arise, one seeks protection from a righteous authority, while past karmic causes are also questioned.
Though not explicitly naming Vishnu here, the bhakti principle of surrender is mirrored: exclusive refuge (“tvām eva śaraṇam”) is the devotional posture later directed toward Bhagavān in many Purāṇic teachings.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught in this line; the practical takeaway is dharma-vicāra—ethical discernment and accountability to prior actions within a narrative setting.