Shloka 3.35.31

मारीचाश्रमगमनम् (Ravana’s Journey to Maricha’s Hermitage)

Devanagari script

तेषां दयार्थं गरुडस्तां शाखां शतयोजनाम्।।।।जगामादाय वेगेन तौ चोभौ गजकच्छपौ।

Transliteration

teṣāṃ dayārthaṃ garuḍas tāṃ śākhāṃ śatayojanām | jagāmādāya vegena tau cobhau gajakacchapau ||

Translation

Out of compassion for them, Garuḍa swiftly bore away that branch, a hundred yojanas in length, carrying with it both the elephant and the tortoise.

Context

Out of compassion for the (endangered) seers Garuda carried away that hundred-yojana-long branch along with the elephant and the tortoise with great speed.

Characters & Entities

• Garuḍa
• elephant (gaja)
• tortoise (kacchapa)

FAQs

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

Compassion (dayā) is dharma in action: the strong restrain collateral harm and actively protect the vulnerable—here, the seers.

What is the narrative situation?

To prevent danger to the gathered sages, Garuḍa relocates the massive branch, even while it bears an elephant and a tortoise.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Dayā (compassion) joined to capability—strength used as protection rather than domination.