Shloka 3.29.18

अरण्यकाण्डे एकोनत्रिंशः सर्गः (Sarga 29: Rama’s Admonition to Khara and the Shattering of the Mace)

Devanagari script

प्राकृतास्त्वकृतात्मानो लोके क्षत्रियपांसनाः।निरर्थकं विकत्थन्ते यथा राम विकत्थसे।।।।

Transliteration

prākṛtās tv akṛtātmāno loke kṣatriyapāṃsanāḥ | nirarthakaṃ vikatthante yathā rāma vikatthase ||

Translation

But in this world, common men lacking self-mastery—kṣatriyas of the lowest sort—boast without meaning, just as you, Rama, are boasting.

Context

O Rama! common people, having no control over themselves and the lowest of kshatriyas boast of themselves in the world in a meaningless way as you are doing (now).

Characters & Entities

• Khara
• Rama
• kṣatriya

FAQs

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

Self-mastery (ātma-niyama) is presented as essential to noble conduct; boastful speech is linked with lack of discipline.

What is the narrative situation?

Khara attempts to provoke Rama psychologically by labeling his speech as vulgar boasting.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-control—especially control over speech—as a marker of true nobility.