Shloka 3.34.22

आरण्यकाण्डे चतुस्त्रिंशः सर्गः — Śūrpaṇakhā Reports to Rāvaṇa; Rāma’s Might and Sītā’s Description

Devanagari script

यदि तस्यामभिप्रायो भार्यार्थे तव जायते।शीघ्रमुद्ध्रियतां पादो जयार्थमिह दक्षिणः।।।।

Transliteration

yadi tasyām abhiprāyo bhāryārthe tava jāyate |

śīghram uddhriyatāṁ pādo jayārtham iha dakṣiṇaḥ ||

Translation

If the intention arises in you to take her as your wife, then at once lift your right foot and set out from here to win her.

Context

If you intend her to be your wife, raise your right foot now and proceed to win her over.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā (implied)
• Right foot (dakṣiṇa pāda) as auspicious departure motif

FAQs

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

It shows how auspicious language and ritual imagery can be used to cloak unethical aims; dharma requires that means and ends both be righteous, not merely ‘successful’.

What is the narrative situation?

Śūrpaṇakhā presses Rāvaṇa to act immediately, framing the abduction as a ‘victory’ to be pursued.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The implied virtue is deliberation guided by dharma; haste in passion is presented as a path to wrongdoing.