Shloka 3.38.21

अष्टत्रिंशः सर्गः — मारीचोपदेशः (Maricha’s Warning and the Memory of Rama’s Power)

Devanagari script

पातितोऽहं तदा तेन गम्भीरे सागराम्भसि।प्राप्य संज्ञां चिरात्तात लङ्कां प्रतिगतः पुरीम्।।3.38.21।।

Transliteration

necchatā tāta māṃ hantuṃ tadā vīreṇa rakṣitaḥ | rāmasya śaravegena nirasto 'ham acetanaḥ || 3.38.20 ||

Translation

O dear one, though he did not wish to slay me, that hero preserved me; hurled away by the swift force of Rāma’s arrow, I fell unconscious.

Context

O dear! I was thrown into the deep sea and after a long time regained consciousness and returned to the city of Lanka.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Kabandha

FAQs

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

Dharma is strength with restraint: even when punishing wrongdoing, one need not kill if killing is unnecessary.

What is the narrative situation?

Kabandha explains that Rāma struck and repelled him, but did not intend to kill him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Compassionate restraint (dayā) allied with heroism—Rāma’s controlled use of force.