Shloka 4

अष्टत्रिंशः सर्गः — मारीचोपदेशः

Maricha’s Warning and the Memory of Rama’s Power

Devanagari script

अद्य रक्षतु मां रामः पर्वकाले समाहितः।।3.38.4।।मारीचान्मे भयं घोरं समुत्पन्नं नरेश्वर।

Transliteration

adya rakṣatu māṃ rāmaḥ parvakāle samāhitaḥ | mārīcān me bhayaṃ ghoraṃ samutpannaṃ nareśvara || 3.38.4 ||

Translation

ഹേ നരേശ്വരാ, മാരീചനാൽ എനിക്ക് ഭയങ്കരമായ ഭയം ഉദിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു; അതുകൊണ്ട് ഇന്ന് പർവകാലത്ത് സമാഹിതനും ജാഗ്രതനുമായ രാമൻ എന്നെ കാത്തുകൊള്ളട്ടെ.

Word by Word

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: उक्त्यर्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• evam: in this way
• evam: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (in this manner)

• uktaḥ: having been addressed
• uktaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'उक्तः' = addressed/spoken to

• dharmātmā: righteous-souled
• dharmātmā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma-ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि; पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन

• rājā: the king
• rājā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन

• daśarathaḥ: Daśaratha
• daśarathaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daśaratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन (apposition to rājā)

• tadā: then
• tadā: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (then)

• pratyuvāca: replied
• pratyuvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati-ūc (धातु: vac/ūc)
• Form: लङ्-लकार; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्; उपसर्ग: प्रति- (replied)

• mahābhāgam: the illustrious
• mahābhāgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā-bhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय: 'महान् भागः यस्य/महाभागः'; पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन; विश्वामित्रम् इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• viśvāmitram: Viśvāmitra
• viśvāmitram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśvāmitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन

• mahāmunim: the great sage
• mahāmunim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय; पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन; विश्वामित्रम् इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

Context

'O king! Maricha has created in me a great fear. Spare the self possessed Rama to protect me while I do the sacrifice.'

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Daśaratha
• Rāma
• Mārīca

FAQs

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

A king’s dharma includes protecting sages and sacrificial rites; spiritual works (yajña) are safeguarded through righteous force when threatened.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra petitions Daśaratha to send Rāma as protection during the ritual time when demons disrupt the sacrifice.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reliance on dharmic protection: Viśvāmitra seeks the aid of the worthy, self-controlled Rāma rather than acting from fear alone.