Shloka 132

Brahmin Right Conduct: Morning Remembrance, Bathing, Purification, and Tarpaṇa Method

Devanagari script

धर्मबीजप्रसूतानामेतत्प्रत्यक्ष लक्षणम् । दयादरिद्रहृदयं वचः क्रकच कर्कशम्

Transliteration

dharmabījaprasūtānāmetatpratyakṣa lakṣaṇam | dayādaridrahṛdayaṃ vacaḥ krakaca karkaśam

Translation

ധർമ്മബീജത്തിൽ നിന്നു ജനിച്ചവരുടെ പ്രത്യക്ഷലക്ഷണം ഇതാണ്—ഹൃദയം ദയയിൽ സമൃദ്ധം; എന്നാൽ വാക്ക് അറിവാളുപോലെ കർക്കശം.

Word by Word

• धर्मबीजप्रसूतानाम्: of those born from the seed of dharma
• धर्मबीजप्रसूतानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + बीज (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रसूत (कृदन्त, √सू धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6 विभक्ति), बहुवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (धर्मबीजेन प्रसूताः)

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; लक्षणम् इति विशेषण

• प्रत्यक्षम्: direct/manifest
• प्रत्यक्षम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रत्यक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; लक्षणम् इति विशेषण

• लक्षणम्: characteristic/sign
• लक्षणम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन

• दया: compassion
• दया: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन

• दरिद्रहृदयम्: a poor/lowly heart
• दरिद्रहृदयम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दरिद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + हृदय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (दरिद्रं हृदयम्)

• वचः: speech/words
• वचः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन

• क्रकच: O saw (i.e., saw-like)
• क्रकच: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रकच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; संबोधन/उपमानार्थे प्रयोगः (vocative-like address or apposition)

• कर्कशम्: harsh
• कर्कशम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कर्कश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; वचः इति विशेषण

Speaker

Unspecified (context needed from surrounding verses; likely within a Pulastya–Bhīṣma style didactic narration typical of Purāṇic dialogue)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: धर्मबीजप्रसूतानामेतत् → धर्मबीजप्रसूतानाम् + एतत्; etatpratyakṣa in IAST corresponds to एतत् + प्रत्यक्षम्.

FAQs

What ethical trait is highlighted as a sign of dharma in this verse?

The verse points to compassion (dayā) as a key visible mark of dharmic nature, emphasizing an inner disposition of kindness.

Why does the verse mention speech being “harsh like a saw”?

It uses a vivid metaphor to discuss the moral weight of speech—suggesting that words can cut and wound, and that ethical life includes careful, non-injurious speech.

Is there a tension in the verse between compassion and harsh speech?

Yes; it can be read as either (a) contrasting the ideal (compassionate heart) with a common failing (cutting speech), or (b) warning that true dharma requires both inner compassion and gentle, truthful expression.