ŚLOKA 5 / 100

A humble request for care

smṛtau śāstre vaidye śakunakavitāgānaphaṇitaupurāṇe mantre vā stutinaṭanahāsyeṣvacaturaḥ ;kathaṃ rājñāṃ prītirbhavati mayi ko’haṃ paśupatepaśuṃ māṃ sarvajña! prathitakṛpayā pālaya vibho . 5 .

About these study notes: English meanings and explanations were generated with AI assistance and have not been independently reviewed by a Sanskrit scholar. Sanskrit text follows the cited source editions.

A phrase at a time.

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Sringeri IAST text · source wording and line-break hyphens retained. English glosses follow the connected Sanskrit sense.

These four study units follow the printed quarters. Sentences and compounds can continue across a line break; read the whole verse for connected meaning. The source wording stays unchanged.

Source-linked study entries
Selected phraseMeaning in context

In sacred learning, medicine, omens, poetry, song and expression.

Key expressions in this quarter: śāstra — systematic sacred learning; kavitā — poetry.

In the Puranas, mantra, praise, performance and humor, I claim no expertise.

Key expressions in this quarter: stuti — praise; acatura — not skilled.

How could kings be pleased with me? What am I, O Lord of beings?

Key expressions in this quarter: rājñām — of kings; paśupate — O Lord of beings.

Care for me, your creature, through your renowned compassion, O all-knowing Lord.

Key expressions in this quarter: sarvajña — all-knowing; kṛpayā — through compassion.

A humble request for care

In sacred learning, medicine, omens, poetry, song and expression. In the Puranas, mantra, praise, performance and humor, I claim no expertise. How could kings be pleased with me? What am I, O Lord of beings? Care for me, your creature, through your renowned compassion, O all-knowing Lord.

How the verse unfolds.

The catalogue of skills belongs to the world of learning and patronage. Having claimed none of them, the speaker turns to Paśupati. The pairing of paśu and paśupati makes dependence the basis of the appeal: the Lord of beings is asked to care for this being too.

EDITORIAL EXPLANATION · NOT A TRADITIONAL COMMENTARY

Can I ask for help without first proving my accomplishment?

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Connected themes

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Associated Tattva

Grace and approach

The speaker’s lack of accomplishment leads to an appeal to Paśupati. The relationship between paśu, a dependent being, and its Lord grounds the request for protection.

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A phrase, a question, a moment of understanding

Can I ask for help without first proving my accomplishment?

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