Shloka 3.39.13

एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः (Aranyakanda 39): राक्षसस्य रामत्रासवर्णनम् / The Demon’s Account of Rama-Fear

Devanagari script

शरेण मुक्तो रामस्य कथञ्चित्प्राप्य जीवितम्।इह प्रव्राजितो युक्तस्तापसोऽहं समाहितः।।।।

Transliteration

śareṇa mukto rāmasya kathañcit prāpya jīvitam | iha pravrājito yuktaḥ tāpaso ’haṁ samāhitaḥ ||

Translation

Having somehow escaped Rāma’s arrows and regained my life, I have become a renunciate here—an ascetic, disciplined and composed.

Context

With my escape from Rama's darts I somehow got a fresh lease of life. Now I am composed. I have started living the life of a recluse here. I have turned an ascetic.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• arrows (śara)
• tāpasa (ascetic/renunciate)

FAQs

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

Dharma allows reform: surviving the consequences of wrongdoing can become the basis for repentance, restraint, and a disciplined life.

What is the narrative situation?

The speaker says he escaped death by Rāma’s arrows and has since adopted an ascetic, composed mode of life.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-restraint and repentance (saṁyama): turning away from violence toward disciplined living.