Shloka 2

पायसप्रादुर्भावः

The Manifestation of the Divine Payasa and the Avatara Resolution

Devanagari script

उपाय: को वधे तस्य रावणस्य दुरात्मन:।यमहं तं समास्थाय निहन्यामृषिकण्टकम्।।।।

Transliteration

bhāryāṇām anurūpāṇām aśnīteti prayaccha vai |

tāsu tvaṃ prāpsyase putrān yadarthaṃ yajase nṛpa || 1.16.20 ||

Translation

“ಈ ಪಾಯಸವನ್ನು ಯೋಗ್ಯ ರಾಣಿಯರಿಗೆ ಭಕ್ಷಿಸಲು ನೀಡು; ಅವರ ಮೂಲಕ ನೀನು ಪುತ್ರರನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುವೆ—ಅವರಿಗಾಗಿ ನೀನು ಯಜ್ಞ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿರುವೆ, ನೃಪನೇ.”

Word by Word

• evam: thus
• evam: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (manner)

• uktāḥ: having been addressed/spoken to
• uktāḥ: Karta (कर्ता) — qualifier
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ukta (प्रातिपदिक; PPP from √vac)
• Form: Past Passive Participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative, Plural; predicate qualifier of 'surāḥ'

• surāḥ: the gods
• surāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• sarve: all
• sarve: Karta (कर्ता) — adjectival
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; viśeṣaṇa of 'surāḥ'

• pratyūcuḥ: replied
• pratyūcuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (वच् धातु) with prati-
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa, Plural

• viṣṇum: to Viṣṇu
• viṣṇum: Karma (कर्म) — addressee/object of speech
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• avyayam: imperishable
• avyayam: Karma (कर्म) — adjectival
• Type: Adjective
• Root: avyaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; viśeṣaṇa of 'viṣṇum'

• mānuṣīm: human
• mānuṣīm: Karma (कर्म) — adjectival
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mānuṣī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular; viśeṣaṇa of 'tanum'

• tanum: body/form
• tanum: Karma (कर्म) — object of 'āsthāya'
• Type: Noun
• Root: tanu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• āsthāya: having assumed
• āsthāya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sthā (स्था धातु) with ā-
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), ‘having assumed/resorted to’

• rāvaṇam: Rāvaṇa
• rāvaṇam: Karma (कर्म) — object of 'jahi'
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• jahi: kill
• jahi: Kriyā (क्रिया) — command
• Type: Verb
• Root: √han (हन् धातु)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra (imperative), Parasmaipada, Madhyama-puruṣa, Singular

• saṃyuge: in battle
• saṃyuge: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃyuga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

Context

"What strategies should be adopted in the matter of destruction of that evil-minded Ravana who is a thorn to the sages?".

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• queens/consorts (bhāryāḥ)
• pāyasa
• sacrifice (yajña)

FAQs

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

Dharma is fulfilled through proper channels: even a divinely granted boon is to be applied according to rightful family order (through the queens), emphasizing legitimacy, responsibility, and adherence to prescribed norms.

What is the narrative situation?

The emissary instructs Daśaratha on how to use the divine pāyasa so that the sacrifice’s purpose—sons—will be realized.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Obedience to righteous instruction: the king is guided to act methodically and lawfully, showing discipline and respect for dharmic procedure.