Shloka 4

त्रिशिरा-प्रबोधनम् तथा नरान्तक-वधः

Trisira’s Counsel and the Slaying of Naranthaka

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मदत्ताऽस्तितेशक्तिःकवचस्सायकोधनुः ।सहस्रखरसंयुक्तोरथोमेघस्वनोमहान् ।।।।

Transliteration

brahmadattā asti te śaktiḥ kavacaḥ sāyako dhanuḥ | sahasrakharasaṃyukto ratho meghasvano mahān ||

Translation

ഹേ വീരാ, നിനക്കു ബ്രഹ്മദത്തമായ ശക്തിയുണ്ട്; കവചവും സായകങ്ങളും ധനുസ്സും കൂടെ. ആയിരം കഴുതകൾ ചേർത്ത, മേഘഗർജ്ജനപോലെ മുഴങ്ങുന്ന മഹാരഥവും നിനക്കുണ്ട്.

Word by Word

ब्रह्मदत्ताbestowed by Brahma

अस्तिthere is

तेyour

शक्तिःjavelin/spear

कवचःarmor

सायकःarrow

धनुःbow

सहस्रखरसंयुक्तःyoked with a thousand donkeys

रथःchariot

मेघस्वनःcloud-thundering (rumbling like clouds)

महान्great

Context

"You are bestowed by Brahma with a javelin, a shield and an arrow and a chariot yoked by a thousand donkeys making rumbling sounds like a cloud."

Characters & Entities

Brahmā

Śakti (javelin)

Kavaca (armour)

Dhanuḥ (bow)

Ratha (chariot)

FAQs

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

Divine gifts and power are morally neutral; dharma depends on how such power is used—whether in service of truth and protection or in support of adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

A figure addresses a warrior, enumerating extraordinary weapons and a formidable chariot as encouragement or reassurance before combat.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Confidence and preparedness—yet the verse also implies responsibility: greatness of arms must be governed by righteous intent.