Shloka 18

षष्ठस्सर्गः — तपस्विरक्षणे राजधर्मोपदेशः

Sarga 6: The Sages’ Appeal and Instruction on Royal Duty

Devanagari script

एवं वयं न मृष्यामो विप्रकारं तपस्विनाम्।क्रियमाणं वने घोरं रक्षोभिर्भीमकर्मभिः।।।।

Transliteration

evaṃ vayaṃ na mṛṣyāmo viprakāraṃ tapasvinām | kriyamāṇaṃ vane ghoraṃ rakṣobhir bhīmakarmabhiḥ ||

Translation

ഇത്തരത്തിൽ ഞങ്ങൾ തപസ്വികൾ മുനിമാർക്കു നേരെ നടക്കുന്ന ഈ ദുഃഖകരമായ അപമാനം സഹിക്കുവാൻ കഴിയില്ല—ഭീമകർമ്മികളായ രാക്ഷസന്മാർ വനത്തിൽ ചെയ്യുന്ന ഈ ഘോര അന്യായം.

Word by Word

• ततः: therefore
• ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रम/हेतु-अव्यय (therefore/then)

• त्वाम्: you
• त्वाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• शरणार्थम्: for refuge
• शरणार्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरणार्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: शरण + अर्थ (‘for refuge’), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; प्रयोजनार्थक (purpose)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• शरण्यम्: worthy of giving refuge
• शरण्यम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शरण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (त्वाम् इति)

• समुपस्थिताः: have come
• समुपस्थिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-उप-√स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि/कर्तरि कृदन्त (past participle used actively), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘having approached/arrived’

• परिपालय: protect
• परिपालय: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि-√पाल् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• नः: us
• नः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचन; ‘us’

• राम: O Rama
• राम: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• वध्यमानान्: being slain
• वध्यमानान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वध् (धातु)
• Form: शानच्-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि कृदन्त (Present passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण (नः इति)

• निशाचरैः: by night-stalkers (demons)
• निशाचरैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशाचर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: निशा + चर (‘night-walker’), पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

Context

We ascetics are not able to tolerate the fearful deeds perpetrated by the dreadful demons in the forest.

Characters & Entities

• Rākṣasas
• Forest (Araṇya)

FAQs

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

It condemns adharma as ‘viprakāra’—harm against the righteous—and implies the duty of society and rulers to prevent oppression of those practicing tapas and truth.

What is the narrative situation?

The ascetics explain why they have approached Rāma: rākṣasas are committing horrific acts in the forest, disrupting ascetic life.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral clarity and steadfastness: the sages name injustice plainly and seek rightful remedy rather than retaliating from anger.