Shloka 3.19.11

खरस्य क्रोधः — शूर्पणखावृत्तान्तकथनम् (Khara’s Wrath and Śūrpaṇakhā’s Report)

Devanagari script

तं न देवा न गन्धर्वा न पिशाचा न राक्षसाः।मयापकृष्टं कृपणं शक्तास्त्रातुं महाहवे।।।।

Transliteration

taṃ na devā na gandharvā na piśācā na rākṣasāḥ | mayāpakṛṣṭaṃ kṛpaṇaṃ śaktās trātuṃ mahāhave ||

Translation

Neither gods nor gandharvas, nor piśācas, nor even rākṣasas will be able to save that wretch, dragged off by me in the great battle.

Context

Neither gods nor devils nor gandharvas nor even demons will have the power to rescue that hapless creature dragged by me ruthlessly in the battle.

Characters & Entities

• Khara
• Śūrpaṇakhā
• Devas
• Gandharvas
• Piśācas
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Hubris (overconfidence) is ethically corrosive; the Ramayana repeatedly portrays such pride as blindness that precipitates adharma and downfall.

What is the narrative situation?

Khara escalates his threat, boasting that no class of beings will be able to rescue the one he targets in battle.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

A negative exemplar: Khara’s pride and mercilessness, standing in contrast to the Ramayana’s ideal of power tempered by dharma.