Shloka 3.39.23

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

Devanagari script

यदि शूर्पणखाहेतोर्जनस्थानगतः खरः।।।।अतिवृत्तो हतः पूर्वं रामेणाक्लिष्टकर्मणा।अत्र ब्रूहि यथातत्त्वं को रामस्य व्यतिक्रमः।।।।

Transliteration

yadi śūrpaṇakhāhetoḥ janasthānagataḥ kharaḥ |

ativṛtto hataḥ pūrvaṃ rāmeṇākliṣṭakarmaṇā |

atra brūhi yathātattvaṃ ko rāmasya vyatikramaḥ ||

Translation

If Khara, stationed at Jana-sthāna, for Śūrpaṇakhā’s sake overstepped all bounds and was formerly slain by Rāma, whose deeds are effortless—tell me here, in truth: what transgression of Dharma did Rāma commit?

Context

For the sake of Surpanakha, Khara of Janasthana committed excesses and got killed by Rama who can accomplish things with ease.Tell me truly if Rama did violate anything here.

Characters & Entities

• Marīca
• Rāvaṇa
• Śūrpaṇakhā
• Khara
• Janasthāna
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Punishment follows transgression: Marīca frames Rāma’s killing of Khara as a response to overreach, challenging any claim that righteous defense is itself a violation.

What is the narrative situation?

Marīca argues with Rāvaṇa’s grievance narrative: if Khara was slain after exceeding limits, then Rāma is not at fault—thus Rāvaṇa lacks moral grounds for revenge.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Commitment to Satya (truth): insisting on an honest accounting of who violated norms first.