Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 25, Shloka 17

ताटकावृत्तान्तः

The Account of Tāṭakā and the Royal Duty to Protect

Devanagari script

नृशंसमनृशंसं वा प्रजारक्षणकारणात्।पातकं वा सदोषं वा कर्तव्यं रक्षता सता।।।।

Transliteration

nṛśaṃsam anṛśaṃsaṃ vā prajā-rakṣaṇa-kāraṇāt | pātakaṃ vā sa-doṣaṃ vā kartavyaṃ rakṣatā satā ||

Translation

为护佑众民之故，守护者虽具德行，也当行其所必行——或显严酷，或显仁柔；纵似有罪，纵似可责，亦当为之。

Word by Word

• नृशंसम्: cruel (act)
• नृशंसम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नृशंस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (as object of kartavyam)

• अनृशंसम्: not cruel/merciful (act)
• अनृशंसम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनृशंस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Disjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle: either/or)

• प्रजारक्षणकारणात्: for the sake of protecting the subjects
• प्रजारक्षणकारणात्: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजा-रक्षण-कारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; समासः (तत्पुरुषः) — प्रजायाः रक्षणस्य कारणात् (because of/for the reason of protecting subjects)

• पातकम्: a sin
• पातकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पातक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Disjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय

• सदोषम्: faulty (act)
• सदोषम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स-दोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः (कर्मधारयः) — दोषयुक्तम् (with fault)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Disjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय

• कर्तव्यम्: must be done
• कर्तव्यम्: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicative obligation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √कृ (कृ-धातु) + तव्यत् (कृत्य)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कृत्य-प्रत्यय (gerundive) — ‘must be done’

• रक्षता: by one who protects / while protecting
• रक्षता: Karana (करण/Agent-instrument)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √रक्ष् (रक्ष्-धातु) + शतृ (वर्तमान कृदन्त)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान कृदन्त (present active participle), तृतीया, एकवचन; ‘by/while (one) protecting’

• सता: by a virtuous man
• सता: Karana (करण/Agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; ‘good/virtuous person’

Context

Whether cruel or kind, sinful or wrong whatever contributes to the protection of the subjects, should be done by the righteous (king).

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Rāma
• prajā (subjects/people)

FAQs

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

The duty to protect the innocent can obligate difficult actions; dharma is judged by the aim of safeguarding society, not merely by outward softness or harshness.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra frames the killing of Tātakā as an act of public protection, instructing Rāma on the burdens of righteous governance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Responsible discernment (viveka) in applying force for protection, guided by the welfare of the people.