Shloka 23
Protection of Brāhmaṇas
ब्राह्मण उवाच । यदि दूताः समानेतुं पुत्रं शोकतमोपहम् । आगता निश्चितं यूयं शृणुध्वं वचनं मम
brāhmaṇa uvāca | yadi dūtāḥ samānetuṃ putraṃ śokatamopaham | āgatā niścitaṃ yūyaṃ śṛṇudhvaṃ vacanaṃ mama
婆罗门说道：“若你们确已作为使者前来，欲带回我的儿子——能除我至深忧苦者——那么你们必是怀此决意而来。故请聆听我之言。”
Brāhmaṇa (a brahmin speaker)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: vira
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शोक+तमस्+अपहम्→शोकतमोपहम् (तमस्→तमो before vowel); ब्राह्मण उवाच (visarga often dropped in citation).
FAQs
A brāhmaṇa (brahmin) is speaking, addressing a group of “dūtāḥ” (messengers).
It literally means “remover of the darkness (tamas) of grief (śoka),” i.e., someone whose return would dispel profound sorrow.
The verse portrays grief transformed into cautious hope and urges attentive listening before action—highlighting the value of clear communication in moments of crisis.