Shloka 3.2.10

Virādha-saṃvādaḥ — Encounter with Virādha in the Daṇḍakāraṇya (Aranya Kanda, Sarga 2)

Devanagari script

युवां जटाचीरधरौ सभार्यौ क्षीणजीवितौ।प्रविष्टौ दण्डकारण्यं शरचापासिधारिणौ।।।।

Transliteration

yuvāṃ jaṭācīra-dharau sa-bhāryau kṣīṇa-jīvitau | praviṣṭau daṇḍakāraṇyaṃ śara-cāpa-asi-dhāriṇau ||

Translation

You two, wearing matted hair and bark-garments, accompanied by your wife, bearing arrows, bow, and sword—having entered the Daṇḍaka forest—are as good as men with their lives cut short.

Context

You both clad in bark and wearing matted hair, holding bows, arrows and swords have entered into the Dandaka forest with your wife. Your life has been cut short indeed৷৷

Characters & Entities

• Virādha
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Sītā
• Daṇḍakāraṇya (Dandaka forest)
• bow
• arrows
• sword

FAQs

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

The verse highlights adharma through intimidation: Virādha threatens the innocent, contrasting with the righteous duty of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa to protect.

What is the narrative situation?

Virādha confronts the brothers in the forest, mocking their ascetic appearance and issuing a death threat.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast, it sets up the brothers’ protective courage; the verse itself displays Virādha’s cruelty and arrogance.