Shloka 21

तपस्विनाम् औत्सुक्यं राक्षसत्रासश्च

Ascetics’ Anxiety and the Fear of Rakshasas

Devanagari script

खरस्त्वय्यपि चायुक्तं पुरा तात प्रवर्तते।सहास्माभिरितो गच्छ यदि बुद्धिः प्रवर्तते।।2.116.21।।

Transliteration

kharas tvayy api cāyuktaṁ purā tāta pravartate |

sahāsmābhir ito gaccha yadi buddhiḥ pravartate ||2.116.21||

Translation

తాతా, ఖరుడు పూర్వంలాగానే ఇప్పుడూ నీ పట్ల కూడా అనుచితంగా ప్రవర్తిస్తున్నాడు. నీ బుద్ధికి ఇది సముచితమని తోచితే, మా వెంట ఇక్కడి నుంచి వెళ్లిపో.

Word by Word

• bahu-mūla-phalam: rich in roots and fruits
• bahu-mūla-phalam: Karma (कर्म/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahu (प्रातिपदिक) + mūla (प्रातिपदिक) + phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa (descriptive): bahūni mūlāni phalāni ca yasmin (abounding in roots and fruits); viśeṣaṇa of vanam

• citram: beautiful / varied
• citram: Karma (कर्म/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: citra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of vanam

• avidūrāt: from not far away
• avidūrāt: Apādāna (अपादान/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: a-vidūra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsaka (used adverbially), Pañcamī (Ablative/5th), Ekavacana; ‘from not far (away)’

• itaḥ: from here
• itaḥ: Apādāna (अपादान/Source)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: idam (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (ablatival adverb): ‘from here’

• vanam: forest
• vanam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• purāṇa-āśramam: the ancient hermitage
• purāṇa-āśramam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: purāṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + āśrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; karmadhāraya: purāṇaḥ āśramaḥ (ancient hermitage)

• eva: indeed / just
• eva: Nipāta (निपात/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; avadhāraṇa (emphasis/only)

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• śrayiṣye: I will take refuge
• śrayiṣye: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śri (धातु)
• Form: Luṭ lakāra (Periphrastic future), Uttama puruṣa, Ekavacana; Ātmanepada

• sa-gaṇaḥ: with my group
• sa-gaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (प्रातिपदिक) + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: gaṇena saha (with companions); predicate adjective to aham

• punaḥ: again
• punaḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; punarāvṛtti-vācaka (again)

Context

Dear child, Khara will also misbehave with you as usual. (Therefore), if you so decide you may come along with us.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Khara

FAQs

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

Dharma includes wise counsel and risk-avoidance when it protects innocent life; the verse models responsible warning without coercion—leaving the decision to Rāma’s buddhi.

What is the narrative situation?

The leader warns that Khara’s hostility extends even to Rāma and invites him to relocate with the sages.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Care and frankness in counsel: the speaker prioritizes Rāma’s safety while respecting his autonomy.