Shloka 9

बालकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः

Daśaratha’s Promise, Vasiṣṭha’s Counsel, and Viśvāmitra’s Weapon-Lore

Devanagari script

कृतास्त्रमकृतास्त्रं वा नैनं शक्ष्यन्ति राक्षसा:।गुप्तं कुशिकपुत्रेण ज्वलनेनामृतं यथा।।।।

Transliteration

kṛtāstram akṛtāstraṃ vā nainaṃ śakṣyanti rākṣasāḥ |

guptaṃ kuśikaputreṇa jvalanenāmṛtaṃ yathā ||

Translation

ஆயுதக் கலையில் தேர்ந்தவர்களாயினும் தேராதவர்களாயினும், இராட்சசர்கள் அவரை வெல்ல இயலார். குசிகபுத்திரன் விஸ்வாமித்திரன் காத்து நிற்கும் ராமன், ஜ்வலிக்கும் அக்கினியால் பாதுகாக்கப்படும் அமுதம்போல் உள்ளான்॥

Word by Word

कृतास्त्रम्trained in weapons

अकृतास्त्रम्untrained in weapons

वाor

नnot

एनम्him (this one)

शक्ष्यन्तिwill be able

राक्षसाःrākṣasas

गुप्तम्protected

कुशिकपुत्रेणby Kuśika's son (Viśvāmitra)

ज्वलनेनby fire/flame

अमृतम्nectar/ambrosia

यथाas/like

Context

Trained or not in the use of arms, as long as Rama is protected by Viswamitra, just as nectar is protected by the flaming fire-god rakshasas will not be able to compete with him.

Characters & Entities

Vasiṣṭha

Daśaratha

Rāma

Viśvāmitra (Kuśikaputra)

rākṣasas

amṛta

fire (jvalana)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is safeguarded when the righteous act under the guidance of a true sage; moral authority and spiritual power provide protection beyond mere training.

What is the narrative situation?

To remove Daśaratha’s fear for Rāma’s safety, Vasiṣṭha assures him that Viśvāmitra’s protection makes Rāma unassailable to rākṣasas.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Faith and discernment: recognizing the spiritual stature of Viśvāmitra and trusting dharmic counsel over anxious attachment.