Shloka 3.19.14

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

Devanagari script

तरुणौ रूपसम्पन्नौ सुकुमारौ महाबलौ।पुण्डरीकविशालाक्षौ चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बरौ।।।।फलमूलाशनौ दान्तौ तापसौ धर्मचारिणौ।पुत्रौ दशरथस्यास्तां भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ।।।।

Transliteration

taruṇau rūpasampannau sukumārau mahābalau | puṇḍarīka-viśālākṣau cīra-kṛṣṇājināmbarau || phala-mūlāśanau dāntau tāpasau dharmacāriṇau | putrau daśarathasyāstāṁ bhrātarau rāma-lakṣmaṇau ||

Translation

There are two young men—handsome, delicate yet mighty—wide-eyed like white lotuses, clad in bark-cloth and black antelope-skin. Living on fruits and roots, self-restrained, and practicing the ways of righteousness as ascetics—those two brothers are Rama and Lakshmana, sons of Dasharatha.

Context

Here are two young sons of Dasaratha, Rama and Lakshmana, who are gentle, handsome, strong, with eyes like white lotus, wearing deer-skin and bark robes, living on fruits and roots, self-restrained like ascetics and following the righteous path.

Characters & Entities

• Shurpanakha
• Khara
• Rama
• Lakshmana
• Dasharatha
• forest (vana)

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as disciplined living: restraint, austerity, and righteous conduct even amid hardship (forest life).

What is the narrative situation?

Shurpanakha identifies the two brothers who confronted her, describing their appearance and ascetic mode of life.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama and Lakshmana are characterized by self-control (dānta) and dharma-practice (dharmacārin).