Shloka 3.38.7

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

Devanagari script

बलेन चतुरङ्गेण स्वयमेत्य निशाचरान्।।3.38.7।।वधिष्यामि मुनिश्रेष्ठ शत्रूंस्ते मनसेप्सितान्।

Transliteration

balena caturaṅgeṇa svayam etya niśācarān | vadhiṣyāmi muniśreṣṭha śatrūṁs te manasepsitān || 3.38.7 ||

Translation

O best of sages, I myself will come with my fourfold army and slay those night-roaming foes—your enemies whom you wish to be destroyed.

Context

'O distinguished sage! with the four divisions of my army I will slay the enemies you want me to.'

Characters & Entities

• muni (sage)
• niśācara (night-walkers/rākṣasas)
• caturaṅga-bala (fourfold army)

FAQs

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

A ruler’s dharma is protective responsibility: to remove threats (especially against sages and the innocent) and uphold order, even by personal action.

What is the narrative situation?

A king assures a sage that he will personally arrive with his fourfold army to eliminate the rākṣasa enemies the sage wants destroyed.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Resolve and protective valor (kṣātra-tejas): readiness to act directly rather than delegating when dharma is at stake.