Shloka 3.17.18

शूर्पणखाया आगमनम् — Surpanakha Approaches Rama

Devanagari script

नियोगात् तु नरेन्द्रस्य पितुर्मातुश्च यन्त्रितः।।।।धर्मार्थं धर्मकाङ्क्षी च वनं वस्तुमिहागतः।

Transliteration

āśramaṃ tam upāgamya rāghavaḥ saha lakṣmaṇaḥ | kṛtvā paurvāhṇikaṃ karma parṇaśālām upāgamat ||

Translation

Having reached that hermitage, Rāghava, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa, performed the forenoon rites and then entered the leaf-thatched hut.

Context

I have come here, commanded by the king, my father and mother.Intending to obey the orders of my father, and impelled by duty to establish righteousness I have come to reside here.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• āśrama (hermitage)
• parṇaśālā (leaf-hut)

FAQs

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

Steadfast observance of daily duties (nitya-karma) even in hardship; dharma is maintained through disciplined practice.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa arrive at their forest hermitage and proceed with routine rites before entering their dwelling.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s self-discipline and reverence for prescribed duty (ācāra).