Shloka 17
Śatrughna’s Entry into Ahicchatrā
Temptation of Sumada and the Goddess’s Boon
गत्वा यथागतं शक्रं जगदुर्धीरधीर्नृपः । तच्छ्रुत्वा मघवा भीतः सेवामारभतात्मनः
gatvā yathāgataṃ śakraṃ jagadurdhīradhīrnṛpaḥ | tacchrutvā maghavā bhītaḥ sevāmārabhatātmanaḥ
ಶಕ್ರನು ಬಂದಂತೆ ಬಂದ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲೇ ಅವನನ್ನು ವಿದಾಯಗೊಳಿಸಿ, ಧೀರ-ದೃಢನಾದ ರಾಜನು ಹೀಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದನು. ಅದನ್ನು ಕೇಳಿ ಭೀತನಾದ ಮಘವಾ (ಇಂದ್ರ) ಸ್ವಯಂ ಸೇವೆಯನ್ನು ಆರಂಭಿಸಿದನು।
Narrator (contextual: the verse describes the king’s action and Indra’s reaction; the explicit speaker is not specified in this single śloka)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तच्छ्रुत्वा = तत् + श्रुत्वा; सेवामारभत = सेवाम् + आरभत; जगदुर्धीरधीः treated as बहुव्रीहि compound used as a nominative epithet of नृपः.
FAQs
Both are epithets of Indra: Śakra emphasizes his power and lordship, while Maghavā is a traditional Vedic-Purāṇic name highlighting his status and glory; the verse uses them interchangeably for the same deity.
The verse suggests that even the mighty may be humbled; fear or realization can lead one to adopt sevā (service) and restraint, indicating that true nobility lies in humility and right conduct rather than mere rank.
It portrays the king as dhīra—self-possessed and unwavering—someone not easily swayed even by divine authority, implying that dharma and inner steadiness can command respect and induce reform in others.