Shloka 3.19.6

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

Devanagari script

देवगन्धर्वभूतानामृषीणां च महात्मनाम्।कोऽयमेवं विरूपां त्वां महावीर्यश्चकार ह।।।।

Transliteration

tatas tu te taṃ samudagratejasaṃ tathāpi tīkṣṇapradarā niśācarāḥ | na śekur enaṃ sahasā pramardituṃ vanadvipā dīptam ivāgnim utthitam ||

Translation

Then those night-roaming rākṣasas—though bearing keen, piercing weapons—could not crush him at once; like wild elephants, they could not face a blazing forest fire newly arisen.

Context

Which valiant person among gods, gandharvas, sages and other great people, has disfigured you like this ?

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (explicitly in existing translation; implied by 'him')
• Rākṣasas (niśācarāḥ)
• Forest fire (metaphor)
• Wild elephants (metaphor)

FAQs

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

Dharma is portrayed as protective power: when righteousness stands firm, unjust force cannot easily overwhelm it, just as animals cannot rush a raging fire.

What is the narrative situation?

The fourteen rākṣasas attempt a sudden assault, but they fail to overpower Rāma despite their weapons.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s steadfast courage and righteous strength—an inner tejas that makes him unassailable to adharma-driven aggression.