Shloka 3.4.7

विराधवधः — The Slaying (Burial) of Viradha

Devanagari script

मुष्टिभिर्जानुभिः पद्भिः सूदयन्तौ तु राक्षसम्।उद्यम्योद्यम्य चाप्येनं स्थण्डिले निष्पिपेषतुः।।।।

Transliteration

prahṛṣṭa-rūpāv iva rāma-lakṣmaṇau virādham urvyā pradare nihatya tau | nanandatur vīta-bhayau mahā-vane śilābhir antardadhatuś ca rākṣasam ||

Translation

Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, as though radiant with joy, slew Virādha and cast him into a cleft of the earth; fearless in that great forest, they covered the rākṣasa with rocks.

Context

Striking the demon with fists, knees and feet, both of them smit him on the bare ground and pulverized him.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Virādha
• earth cleft/pit (pradara/bila)
• rocks (śilā)
• great forest (mahāvana)

FAQs

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

Restoring order: removing a predatory threat is part of dharma, enabling the forest-path of the righteous to be safe again.

What is the narrative situation?

Virādha is killed/neutralized by being placed into an earth-cleft and covered with stones.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fearlessness (vīta-bhaya) and completion of duty.