Shloka 2

ताटकावृत्तान्तः

The Account of Tāṭakā and the Royal Duty to Protect

Devanagari script

अल्पवीर्या यदा यक्षा श्श्रूयन्ते मुनिपुङ्गव।कथन्नागसहस्रस्य धारयत्यबला बलम्।।।।

Transliteration

alpavīryā yadā yakṣāḥ śrūyante muni-puṅgava | kathaṃ nāga-sahasrasya dhārayaty abalā balam ||

Translation

牟尼の最勝者よ、ヤクシャは力が乏しいと聞くのに、どうして女という弱きものが、千の象に等しい力を宿し得ようか。

Word by Word

• अल्पवीर्याः: of little strength
• अल्पवीर्याः: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अल्पवीर्य = अल्प + वीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय: 'of little prowess' (qualifying यक्षाः)

• यदा: when/since
• यदा: सम्बन्ध (Temporal)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (when/since)

• यक्षाः: yakṣas
• यक्षाः: कर्ता (of श्रूयन्ते)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• श्रूयन्ते: are heard (are said)
• श्रूयन्ते: क्रिया
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद; प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; कर्मणि/भावे प्रयोग: 'are heard/are said to be'

• मुनिपुङ्गव: O best of sages
• मुनिपुङ्गव: सम्बोधन
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनिपुङ्गव = मुनि + पुङ्गव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: 'bull among sages'

• कथम्: how
• कथम्: सम्बन्ध (Question)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कथम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रश्नार्थक क्रियाविशेषण (interrogative adverb)

• नागसहस्रस्य: of a thousand elephants
• नागसहस्रस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नागसहस्र = नाग + सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'of a thousand elephants'

• धारयति: bears/possesses
• धारयति: क्रिया
• Type: Verb
• Root: धृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• अबला: a woman
• अबला: कर्ता
• Type: Noun
• Root: अबला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'a woman' (lit. 'not-strong') as subject of धारयति

• बलम्: strength
• बलम्: कर्म
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

Context

O Prince by these magnanimous persons and by great men several unrighteous women were killed for the common good".इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये बालकाण्डे पञ्चविंशस्सर्ग:।।Thus ends the twentyfifth sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Viśvāmitra
• Yakṣas
• Tātakā (implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma begins with truthful inquiry and clarity: Rāma seeks accurate understanding before acting, reflecting responsible decision-making.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma questions Viśvāmitra about Tātakā’s extraordinary power, given the general reputation of Yakṣas and the assumption of a woman’s lesser physical strength.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Intellectual honesty and prudent caution—asking before judging or acting.