Shloka 16
स्वयंप्रभा
प्रश्नोत्तरम् / Svayamprabha Explains the Golden Forest and Questions the Vanaras
दुहिता मेरुसावर्णेरहं तस्यास्स्वयंप्रभा।।4.51.16।।इदं रक्षामि भवनं हेमाया वानरोत्तम।
duhitā merusāvarṇer ahaṃ tasyāḥ svayaṃprabhā | idaṃ rakṣāmi bhavanaṃ hemāyā vānarottama ||
हे वानरोत्तमा! मी मेरुसावर्णीची कन्या स्वयंप्रभा आहे. हे हेमा हिचे भवन असून याचे रक्षण मी करते.
'O best of monkeys! daughter of Meru Sauvarni, I am Svayamprabha (self-illuminator), caretaker of this house of Hema. (Meru Sauvarni is the eleventh Manu).
FAQs
Dharma as duty (rakṣaṇa): Svayaṃprabhā identifies herself and her rightful responsibility as guardian—truthful identity and faithful protection of a trust.
Svayaṃprabhā formally introduces her lineage and role to the vānaras.
Accountability—she clearly states who she is and what duty she upholds.