Shloka 5
Adhyaya 70 — The King Confronts the Rakshasa and Restores the Brahmin’s Wife
साहं हृता बलाकेन राक्षसेन दुरात्मना । प्रसुप्ता भवनस्यान्ते भ्रातृमातृवियोजिता ॥
sāhaṃ hṛtā balākena rākṣasena durātmanā / prasuptā bhavanasyānte bhrātṛmātṛviyojitā
“Enquanto eu dormia à beira da casa, Balāka, aquele rākṣasa perverso, raptou-me—separando-me de meu irmão e de minha mãe.”
FAQs
The verse highlights vulnerability and the duty of protectors (king/community) to safeguard those at risk; adharma exploits negligence and isolation.
Manvantara narrative illustrating dharma by contrast—showing adharma (rākṣasa violence) and the consequent need for righteous intervention.
Sleep signifies unguarded consciousness; the rākṣasa’s abduction symbolizes how disorder seizes the psyche when vigilance (rakṣā) and supportive bonds (mother/brother) are severed.