Shloka 3.39.6

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

Devanagari script

ऋषिमांसाशनः क्रूरस्त्रासयन्वनगोचरान्।तथा रुधिरमत्तोऽहं विचरन्धर्मदूषकः।।।।

Transliteration

ṛṣimāṃsāśanaḥ krūras trāsayan vanagocarān |

tathā rudhiramatto ’haṃ vicaran dharmadūṣakaḥ ||

Translation

Cruel and feeding on the flesh of sages, I terrified the forest-dwellers; drunk on blood, I roamed about as a corrupter of dharma.

Context

While thus roaming, I harmed the wanderers of the forest. Intoxicated with their bloodI used to frighten the righteous.

Characters & Entities

• Marīca
• ṛṣis (sages)
• forest-dwellers (vanagocarāḥ)

FAQs

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

Dharma is not only personal virtue but social order: spreading terror and corrupting righteousness damages the whole community and is condemned.

What is the narrative situation?

Marīca continues describing his former life of violence to justify why he now advises caution and restraint toward Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse underscores the need for self-control (dama) and compassion; Marīca’s former lack of these becomes a lesson.