Shloka 2
The Episode of Śivaśarmā: Testing Somaśarmā through Service and Truth
ब्राह्मण उवाच । सोमशर्मन्महाप्राज्ञ त्वं पितुर्भक्तितत्परः । अमृतस्य महाकुंभं रक्ष दत्तं मयाधुना
brāhmaṇa uvāca | somaśarmanmahāprājña tvaṃ piturbhaktitatparaḥ | amṛtasya mahākuṃbhaṃ rakṣa dattaṃ mayādhunā
பிராமணர் கூறினார்—மஹாப்ராஜ்ஞனே சோமசர்மா! நீ தந்தைபக்தியில் நிலைத்தவன்; ஆகவே இப்போது நான் உனக்குக் கொடுத்த அமிர்தத்தின் மகாகும்பத்தைப் பாதுகாப்பாயாக।
Brāhmaṇa (a brāhmin sage; unnamed in this verse)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Sandhi Resolution Notes: somaśarmanmahāprājña = somaśarman + mahāprājña (vocatives in sequence); bhaktitatparaḥ = bhakti + tatparaḥ.
FAQs
An unnamed brāhmaṇa is speaking, addressing Somaśarman and entrusting him with guarding a great pot of amṛta (nectar).
It praises Somaśarman’s pitṛ-bhakti (devotion to one’s father) and links character and devotion with eligibility for responsibility—being trusted to protect something sacred and powerful.
The verse highlights trust, stewardship, and fidelity to duty: a virtuous person, known for devotion and integrity, is fit to safeguard valuable or sacred entrusted items.