Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 15, Shloka 11

पञ्चदशः सर्गः — देवकृत-प्रार्थना, रावणवधोपायः, विष्णोः मानुषावतारनियोजनम्

Sarga 15: The Devas’ Petition, the Means to Slay Ravana, and Vishnu’s Commission to Incarnate as Man

Devanagari script

तन्महन्नो भयं तस्माद्राक्षसाद्घोरदर्शनात्।वधार्थं तस्य भगवन्नुपायं कर्तुमर्हसि।।1.15.11।।

Transliteration

tan mahan no bhayaṃ tasmād rākṣasād ghora-darśanāt | vadhārthaṃ tasya bhagavan upāyaṃ kartum arhasi ||

Translation

اسی لیے اُس ہولناک صورت والے راکشس سے ہم پر بڑا خوف طاری ہے؛ اے بھگون! آپ اس کے وध کے لیے کوئی تدبیر فرمانا مناسب سمجھیں۔

Word by Word

• tat: therefore/that
• tat: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Prathamā/Dvitīyā, Eka-vacana; here adverbial ‘therefore/that’

• mahat: great
• mahat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Prathamā, Eka-vacana; agrees with bhayam

• naḥ: for us/of us
• naḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Ṣaṣṭhī, Bahu-vacana; ‘of us’

• bhayam: fear
• bhayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Prathamā, Eka-vacana

• tasmāt: from him/therefore
• tasmāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga/Napuṃsaka, Pañcamī, Eka-vacana

• rākṣasāt: from the rākṣasa
• rākṣasāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Pañcamī, Eka-vacana; in apposition with tasmāt

• ghora-darśanāt: from the dreadful-looking one
• ghora-darśanāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ghora + darśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Pañcamī, Eka-vacana; bahuvrīhi used as qualifier: yasya darśanam ghoram (of dreadful appearance)

• vadha-artham: for (his) slaying
• vadha-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vadha + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Dvitīyā, Eka-vacana; purpose tatpuruṣa: vadhasya artham (for killing)

• tasya: of him
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Eka-vacana

• bhagavan: O Lord
• bhagavan: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Sambodhana, Eka-vacana

• upāyam: a means/plan
• upāyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Eka-vacana

• kartum: to make/do
• kartum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Tumun infinitive

• arhasi: you should/are able
• arhasi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: arh (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra, Parasmaipada, Madhyama-puruṣa, Eka-vacana

Context

His dreamful appearance of that rakshasa strikes terror into us. O Lord! do find some means to kill him".

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Brahmā
• Rākṣasa (Rāvaṇa implied by the surrounding narrative)

FAQs

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

When adharma becomes oppressive, seeking lawful, higher counsel to restore protection and balance is itself a dharmic act.

What is the narrative situation?

The gods, terrified by the rākṣasa’s menace, petition Brahmā to find a practical way to end the threat.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility and responsibility: the devas do not act rashly but seek a rightful remedy through the cosmic authority.