Shloka 25.18Unverified draft
नृशंसमनृशंसं वा प्रजारक्षणकारणात्। पातकं वा सदोषं वा कर्तव्यं रक्षता सता।।1.25.17।।
Meaning
Whether the act seems cruel or not, whether it appears sinful or blameless, a righteous protector must do what protects his people.
Word-by-word (pada-artha)
| Word | Devanagari | Meaning | Grammatical role |
|---|---|---|---|
| nṛśaṃsam anṛśaṃsam vā | नृशंसम् अनृशंसम् वा | whether cruel or not cruel | Accusative singular |
| prajā-rakṣaṇa-kāraṇāt | प्रजा-रक्षण-कारणात् | for the sake of protecting the people | Ablative singular |
| pātakam vā sa-doṣam vā | पातकम् वा स-दोषम् वा | whether sinful or blameworthy | Accusative singular |
| kartavyam rakṣatā satā | कर्तव्यम् रक्षता सता | it must be done by a good man who protects | Nominative singular (gerundive) / Instrumental |
Reference: 1.25.18 · Bāla Kāṇḍa