Shloka 5

शबलाहरणम्

The Attempted Seizure of Sabalā (Kāmadhenu) and the Triumph of Brahmic Power

Devanagari script

इति सा चिन्तयित्वा तु विनिश्श्वस्य पुन:पुन:।निर्धूय तांस्तदा भृत्यान् शतशश्शत्रुसूदन ।जगामानिलवेगेन पादमूलं महात्मन:।।।।

Transliteration

iti sā cintayitvā tu viniśśvasya punaḥ punaḥ | nirdhūya tāṃs tadā bhṛtyān śataśaḥ śatrusūdana | jagāmānilavegena pādamūlaṃ mahātmanaḥ ||

Translation

她如此思量，连连叹息，随即将那些成百的仆从尽皆甩开；噢，灭敌者，她如疾风般奔向大德者瓦西什塔的足下。

Word by Word

इतिthus

साshe

चिन्तयित्वाhaving thought

तुbut/indeed

विनिश्श्वस्यhaving sighed

पुनःagain

निर्धूयhaving shaken off

तान्those

तदाthen

भृत्यान्attendants

शतशःin hundreds

शत्रुसूदनO destroyer of enemies

जगामwent

अनिलवेगेनwith the speed of the wind

पादमूलम्to the feet (foot-base)

महात्मनःof the great-souled (Vasiṣṭha)

Context

"O Destroyer of enemies thus thinking and repeatedly sighing, that cow shook off those attendants who were in hundreds and ran towards the feet of the illustrious Vasishta with the speed of the wind.

Characters & Entities

Śabalā

Vasiṣṭha

Rāma (as śatrusūdana, vocative)

FAQs

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

When wronged, one seeks rightful shelter rather than retaliating blindly. Śabalā’s movement to Vasiṣṭha’s feet models recourse to lawful protection.

What is the narrative situation?

Śabalā escapes the king’s attendants and rushes to Vasiṣṭha to appeal for protection.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge) and steadfast loyalty to a righteous guardian.