Shloka 3.19.25

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

Devanagari script

इति प्रतिसमादिष्टा राक्षसास्ते चतुर्दश।तत्र जग्मुस्तया सार्धं घना वातेरिता यथा।।।।

Transliteration

iti tasyāṃ bruvāṇāyāṃ caturdaśa mahābalān | vyādideśa kharaḥ kruddho rākṣasān antakopamān ||

Translation

As she spoke thus, Khara—angered—commanded fourteen mighty rākṣasas, fierce as Death itself.

Context

Thus commanded, the fourteen demons along with Surpanakha rushed there like wind-blown clouds.

Characters & Entities

• Khara
• Śūrpaṇakhā (implied by 'tasyām')
• Rākṣasas
• Antaka (Death)

FAQs

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

Uncontrolled anger (krodha) drives adharma and rash decisions; dharma calls for self-mastery before exercising authority.

What is the narrative situation?

Hearing Śūrpaṇakhā’s words, Khara responds by deploying a force of fourteen rākṣasas to attack.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast (through negation), the verse highlights the virtue of restraint—showing how its absence leads to violent escalation.