Shloka 45

Adhyaya 22 — Kuvalayashva’s Death through Daitya-Deceit and Madalasa’s Self-Immolation

Sanskrit

गर्भक्लेशः स्त्रियो मन्ये साफल्यं भजते तदा ।

यदारिविजयी वा स्यात् संग्रामे वा हतः सुतः ॥

Transliteration

garbhakleśaḥ striyo manye sāphalyaṃ bhajate tadā | yadārivijayī vā syāt saṃgrāme vā hataḥ sutaḥ ||

Translation

गर्भधारणक्लेशो मे मते स्त्रीणां तदा एव सफलो भवति। यदा पुत्रो वा शत्रुजयी भवति वा रणमध्ये निहन्यते॥

Speakers

• Within the Madālasā-related narrative (didactic statement in the story-world; exact speaker not specified in the provided excerpt)

Verse Rasa

{ "primaryRasa": "vira", "secondaryRasa": "karuna", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

Key Themes

• Dharma
• Kṣatriya ideal
• Maternal sacrifice
• Fame and destiny

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

The verse voices a martial value-system: a son’s life is ‘worth’ either victory for dharma or honorable death. It frames maternal suffering as meaningful when it yields courage and public good.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Ākhyāna; ethical glorification of valor within royal narrative (nīti/dharma instruction).

What is the esoteric significance?

‘Birth’ and ‘battle’ map to inner sādhanā: the painful gestation of virtues reaches completion when the inner ‘son’ (resolve) either conquers inner enemies or is offered (ego-sacrifice) in the struggle.