Shloka 3.4.5

विराधवधः — The Slaying (Burial) of Viradha

Devanagari script

तस्य रौद्रस्य सौमित्रिः सव्यं बाहुं बभञ्ज ह।रामस्तु दक्षिणं बाहुं तरसा तस्य रक्षसः।।।।

Transliteration

svayaṃ virādhena hi mṛtyur ātmanaḥ prasahya rāmeṇa yathārtham īpsitaḥ | niveditaḥ kānana-cāriṇā svayaṃ na me vadhaḥ śastra-kṛto bhaved iti ||

Translation

Indeed, Virādha himself—the wanderer of the forest—revealed the truth: though Rāma sought to bring about his death by force, “my killing by weapons will not be possible.”

Context

Lakshmana quickly broke the left and Rama the right shoulder of that dreadful demon.

Characters & Entities

• Virādha
• Rāma
• forest (kānana)
• weapons (śastra)

FAQs

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

Satya (truth) as guidance: correct action depends on knowing the truth of a situation; dharmic victory requires the appropriate means, not mere intent.

What is the narrative situation?

Virādha discloses that weapons cannot kill him, prompting Rāma to adopt another method (burying/entombing).

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Commitment to truth and strategic wisdom—learning the real condition before completing the task.