Shloka 84
Rāma–Jāmadagnya-janma-kāraṇa and Kṣatra-kṣaya
Paraśurāma’s origins and the depletion/restoration of kṣatriya lineages
यदि मामभिरक्षन्ति तत: स्थास्यामि निश्चला,यदि वे क्षत्रिय मेरी रक्षा करें तो मैं अविचल भावसे स्थिर हो सकूँगी। इन बेचारोंके बाप-दादे मेरे ही लिये युद्धमें अनायास ही महान् कर्म करनेवाले परशुरामजीके द्वारा मारे गये हैं
yadi mām abhirakṣanti tataḥ sthāsyāmi niścalā | yadi ve kṣatriyā me rakṣāṃ kurvanti tarhi aham avicala-bhāvena sthirā bhaviṣyāmi | ime caite durbhāgyāḥ pitaraiḥ pitāmahaiś ca mamaiva kṛte yuddhe anāyāsena mahā-karmā paraśurāmeṇa hatāḥ ||
Vāsudeva disse: “Se eles me protegerem, permanecerei firme e imóvel. Se estes kṣatriyas realmente assumirem a minha guarda, poderei manter-me estável, sem vacilar. Contudo, os pais e os avós destes pobres homens—por minha causa apenas—foram mortos em batalha por Paraśurāma, que realizou esse grande feito com poder sem esforço.”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of protection (rakṣā) as a kṣatriya duty: true guardianship stabilizes the vulnerable, yet past violence—especially done ‘for one’s sake’—creates moral debt and compassion for those bound by inherited conflict.
Vāsudeva speaks about being able to remain steadfast if the kṣatriyas protect him, while recalling that these warriors’ ancestors were earlier slain by Paraśurāma in wars connected to his own cause—bringing a note of pity and ethical reflection into the situation.