Shloka 19
The Glory of the Brāhmaṇa
Brāhmaṇa-Mahimā and Pādodaka Merit
दैन्ययुक्तं वचः प्राह क्ष्मासुरं स तपोधनम् । भो स्वामिन्शृणु मे वाक्यं दयालुरिव मन्यते
dainyayuktaṃ vacaḥ prāha kṣmāsuraṃ sa tapodhanam | bho svāminśṛṇu me vākyaṃ dayāluriva manyate
Смиренными словами тот подвижник, сокровище тапаса, обратился к Кшмасуре: «О владыка, выслушай мою речь», почитая его милосердным.
The tapodhana (a great ascetic; unnamed in this single verse) speaking to Kṣmāsura
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: forest
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वामिन्शृणु = स्वामिन् + शृणु (न् + श → ञ्श्/न्श् लेखन); पदच्छेदः: दैन्ययुक्तम् वचः प्राह क्ष्मासुरम् सः तपोधनम् | भो स्वामिन् शृणु मे वाक्यम् दयालुः इव मन्यते
FAQs
It highlights humility and courteous speech—approaching even a powerful or fearsome figure with restraint, respect, and a request to be heard.
The verse says “sa tapodhanam,” indicating a great ascetic (a ‘treasure of austerity’) is speaking, addressing Kṣmāsura directly.
In Purāṇic dialogue, respectful address can be strategic and dharmic—softening hostility and appealing to the possibility of mercy (dayā) even in an adversary.