Shloka 27
सागरप्रशमनम् / The Pacification of the Ocean and the Building of Nala’s Bridge
नकामान्नचलोभाद्वानभयातत्सापार्थिवात्मज: ।ग्राहनकाकुलजलंस्तम्बयेयंकथञ्जन ।।।।
na kāmān na ca lobhād vā na bhayāt tāta pārthivātmajaḥ | grāha-nakākulaṃ jalaṃ stambhayeyaṃ kathaṃcana ||
ಹೇ ತಾತ, ಪಾರ್ಥಿವಾತ್ಮಜನೇ (ರಾಜಪುತ್ರನೇ)! ಕಾಮದಿಂದಲೂ ಅಲ್ಲ, ಲೋಭದಿಂದಲೂ ಅಲ್ಲ, ಭಯದಿಂದಲೂ ಅಲ್ಲ—ಗ್ರಾಹಾದಿಗಳಿಂದ ಕಲುಷಿತವಾದ ಈ ಜಲವನ್ನು ನಾನು ಯಾವ ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲೂ ಸ್ಥಂಭಿಸಬಲ್ಲೆನು ಎಂಬುದಿಲ್ಲ.
"O Lord of the land! Out of desire or covetousness or even out of fear I will not be able to solidify the water infested with poisonous animals."
FAQs
Dharma is not swayed by personal motives (desire/greed/fear). The Ocean insists that even strong emotional pressures cannot justify violating the natural order entrusted to it.
The Ocean responds to Rāma’s demand for a crossing by stating it cannot transform its waters into a solid path, emphasizing the waters’ dangerous ecology.
Integrity and steadfastness: the Ocean refuses to act from impulse and frames its refusal as fidelity to its ordained function.