Adhyaya 50 — Mind-Born Progeny, Svayambhuva Manu’s Lineage, and Brahmā’s Ordinance to Duḥsaha (Alakṣmī’s Retinue)
दुःसह उवाच क्षुत्क्षामोऽस्मि जगन्नाथ ! पिपासुश्चापि दुर्बलः ।
कथं तृप्तिमियान्नाथ ! भवेयं बलवान् कथम् ।
कश्चाश्रयो ममाख्याहि वर्तेयं यत्र निर्वृतः ॥
duḥsaha uvāca kṣutkṣāmo 'smi jagannātha! pipāsuścāpi durbalaḥ | kathaṃ tṛptim iyān nātha! bhaveyaṃ balavān katham | kaścāśrayo mamā'khyāhi varteyaṃ yatra nirvṛtaḥ ||
ദുഃസഹൻ പറഞ്ഞു—“ഹേ ജഗദീശ്വരാ! ഞാൻ വിശപ്പാൽ ക്ഷീണിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു; ദാഹവും ഉണ്ട്, ദുർബലനുമാണ്. പ്രഭോ, എനിക്ക് തൃപ്തി എങ്ങനെ ലഭിക്കും? ഞാൻ എങ്ങനെ ബലവാനാകും? പറയുക—എന്റെ ശരണം എന്ത്, എവിടെ ഞാൻ സുഖമായി വസിക്കാം?”
{ "primaryRasa": "karuna", "secondaryRasa": "bhaya", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }
The text shows how destructive impulses rationalize themselves as ‘need’ (hunger/thirst) and seek a sanctioned outlet. Ethically, it warns that unchecked craving looks for environments that will feed it—hence the importance of guarding one’s habits and home.
Didactic dialogue within narrative; not one of the five characteristics directly, but supports dharma teaching by dramatizing guṇa-driven appetites.
Hunger/thirst symbolize endless lack (abhāva) at the root of tamas. The request for ‘āśraya’ implies: every tendency seeks an abode in the psyche; the sādhaka must deny abode to tamasic patterns.