Shloka 42

Devanagari script

किल्बिषत्वं नरेन्द्राणां करिष्यसि नराधिप।यो दत्वा वरमद्यैव पुनरन्यानि भाषसे।।।।

Transliteration

kilbiṣatvaṃ narendrāṇāṃ kariṣyasi narādhipa |

yo datvā varam adyaiva punar anyāni bhāṣase || 2.12.42 ||

Translation

നരാധിപനേ! ഇന്നേ വരം നൽകി പിന്നെ മറ്റൊരു വിധത്തിൽ സംസാരിച്ചാൽ നീ രാജധർമ്മത്തിന് കളങ്കം വരുത്തും.

Word by Word

• शैब्यः: (King) Śaibya
• शैब्यः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शैब्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• श्येनकपोतीये: in the hawk-and-pigeon episode
• श्येनकपोतीये: अधिकरण (Adhikarana/Context)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्येन + कपोती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास (hawk-and-pigeon episode)

• स्वमांसम्: his own flesh
• स्वमांसम्: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व + मांस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पक्षिणे: to the bird (hawk)
• पक्षिणे: सम्प्रदान (Sampradana/Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पक्षिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative), एकवचन

• ददौ: gave
• ददौ: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• अलर्कः: (King) Alarka
• अलर्कः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अलर्क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• चक्षुषी: two eyes
• चक्षुषी: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्षुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• दत्वा: having given
• दत्वा: पूर्वकाल-क्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दा (धातु) (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय; कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund): having given

• जगाम: went; attained
• जगाम: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• गतिम्: state; course; destination
• गतिम्: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उत्तमाम्: highest; excellent
• उत्तमाम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (गतिम्)

Context

O king, right now having given two boons, you are speaking otherwise. You are bringing blemish to kings (of the Ikshwaku race)

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

A king’s dharma is inseparable from satya: reversing a granted boon is portrayed as a moral blemish that damages the very institution of kingship.

What is the narrative situation?

Kaikeyī argues that Daśaratha cannot retract or alter what he has already promised her.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Integrity and consistency in speech—especially for rulers whose words function as binding public commitments.