Shloka 3.29.20

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

Devanagari script

सर्वथैव लघुत्वं ते कत्थनेन विदर्शितम्।सुवर्णप्रतिरूपेण तप्तेनेव कुशाग्निना।।।।

Transliteration

sarvathaiva laghutvaṃ te katthanena vidarśitam | suvarṇapratirūpeṇa tapteneva kuśāgninā ||

Translation

By your boasting, your paltriness is wholly laid bare—like the fire of kuśa grass which, when it blazes, glows with a gold-like sheen.

Context

All your meanness is exhibited by your boasting just as the kusa grass caught by fire appears like gold.

Characters & Entities

• Khara
• Rama
• kuśa (sacred grass)
• agni (fire)
• suvarṇa (gold)

FAQs

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

Speech exposes character: boastful display is portrayed as a sign of inner smallness, not true virtue.

What is the narrative situation?

Khara concludes his taunting critique of Rama’s words with a metaphor comparing boastful brilliance to deceptive fire-glow.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility and authenticity—true worth should be steady and proven by deeds, not by showy speech.