Shloka 3.2.8

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

Devanagari script

स रामं लक्ष्मणं चैव सीतां दृष्ट्वा च मैथिलीम्।अभ्यधावत्सुसङ्कृद्धः प्रजाः काल इवान्तकः।।।।

Transliteration

sa rāmaṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ caiva sītāṃ dṛṣṭvā ca maithilīm | abhyadhāvat susaṅkruddhaḥ prajāḥ kāla ivāntakaḥ ||

Translation

Seeing Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, and also Sītā, the princess of Mithilā, he rushed at them in raging fury—like Death-Time charging upon living beings.

Context

Looking extremely furious, he ran towards Rama, Lakshmana and Sita like the god of death rushes towards the (dying) people.

Characters & Entities

• Virādha
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Sītā
• Maithilī (Sītā)
• Kāla
• Antaka

FAQs

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

Dharma is tested when innocent people are threatened; the righteous must stand firm when destructive forces rush in like ‘Kāla’.

What is the narrative situation?

Virādha spots the trio and immediately charges them in fury.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness under threat—Rāma’s role as protector is sharpened by the sudden assault.