Shloka 3.27.3

त्रिशिरोवधः (The Slaying of Triśiras) — Araṇyakāṇḍa, Sarga 27

Devanagari script

प्रतिजानामि ते सत्यमायुधं चाहमालभे। यथा रामं वधिष्यामि वधार्हं सर्वरक्षसाम्।।3.27.3।।

Transliteration

sa bhūmau rudhirodgārī rāmabāṇābhipīḍitaḥ || 3.27.18 || nyapatat patitaiḥ pūrvaṁ svaśirobhir niśācaraḥ |

Translation

Crushed by Rāma’s arrows, the night-roamer—spilling forth blood—collapsed to the earth, his own heads already fallen before him.

Context

I promise you on my weapon that I will kill Rama.He who killed all demons deserves to be slain.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Rakshasa (niśācara)
• Arrows (bāṇa)

FAQs

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

Adharma culminates in downfall: violent wrongdoing returns as consequence. The verse reinforces moral causality within the epic’s worldview.

What is the narrative situation?

After decapitation, the rākṣasa collapses, bleeding, signaling the completion of Rāma’s strike.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s steadfastness in protecting the righteous by fully neutralizing a threat.