Shloka 3.39.17

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

Devanagari script

रकारादीनि नामानि रामत्रस्तस्य रावण।रत्नानि च रथाश्चैव त्रासं संजनयन्ति मे।।।।

Transliteration

rakārādīni nāmāni rāmatrastasya rāvaṇa |

ratnāni ca rathāś caiva trāsaṃ sañjanayanti me ||

Translation

O Rāvaṇa, for one terrified of Rāma, even words beginning with ‘ra’—such as ratna (‘gem’) and ratha (‘chariot’)—stir fear within me.

Context

O Ravana!, every name beginning with the letter 'Ra', such as Ratna (gems), Ratha (chariot), etc. strike terror in me.

Characters & Entities

• Marīca
• Rāma
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Adharma leaves lasting impressions: fear and instability follow one who has acted wrongly. The verse frames Dharma as producing inner clarity, while wrongdoing breeds pervasive anxiety.

What is the narrative situation?

Marīca intensifies his warning by describing how even ordinary ‘ra’-initial words trigger terror because they echo the name ‘Rāma’.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthful self-disclosure: Marīca candidly admits his fear to dissuade Rāvaṇa from an unethical course.