Shloka 603

Trita in the Well (Udapāna-kathā) — Balarāma’s Tīrtha Observances

Devanagari script

तस्मान्नस्त्राहि सर्वा वै यथा न: सोम आविशेत्‌ । “भगवान्‌ चन्द्रमा सदा रोहिणीके ही समीप रहते हैं। वे आपकी बातको कुछ गिनते ही नहीं हैं। हमलोगोंपर स्नेह रखना नहीं चाहते हैं, अतः आप हम सब लोगोंकी रक्षा करें, जिससे चन्द्रमा हमारे साथ भी सम्बन्ध रखें”

Transliteration

tasmān nas trāhi sarvā vai yathā naḥ soma āviśet |

Translation

Vaiśampāyana disse: “Portanto, protege-nos a todos, para que Soma (a Lua) também estabeleça relação conosco.” A súplica exprime uma ansiedade moral diante da parcialidade—o favor concedido a uma só (Rohiṇī) pode afastar as demais—e pede uma proteção restauradora que reponha a equidade do apreço e do vínculo.

Word by Word

तस्मात्therefore; from that (reason)

नःus

त्राहिprotect (you protect)

सर्वाःall (fem. pl.)

वैindeed; surely

यथाso that; in such a way that

नःus

सोमःSoma; the Moon

आविशेत्may enter; may come to (us)

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Soma (Candra, the Moon)

Rohiṇī

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical concern that favoritism disrupts harmony; protection is sought to restore balanced relationship and fair regard, aligning with dharma as equitable care for all.

What is happening in the narrative?

A group (implied to be those feeling neglected) appeals for protection, asking that Soma (the Moon) may also ‘enter’ or relate to them—countering his perceived exclusive closeness to Rohiṇī.