Shloka 3.43.43

मायामृगदर्शनम् (The Vision of the Illusory Deer)

Devanagari script

त्वयाऽविगण्य वातापे परिभूतास्स्वतेजसा।जीवलोके द्विजश्रेष्ठास्तस्मादसि जरां गतः।।।।

Transliteration

tvayāvigaṇya vātāpe paribhūtāḥ svatejasā | jīvaloke dvijaśreṣṭhās tasmād asi jarāṃ gataḥ ||

Translation

O Vātāpi—because you, relying on your own power, disregarded and humiliated the noblest of brahmins among living beings, you therefore met your end by being digested.

Context

'O Vatapi! you killed the best of brahmins living in this world, disregarding them because of your power. Hence you were digested by me.'

Characters & Entities

• Vātāpi
• Dvija (Brahmins)

FAQs

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

Power does not justify contempt: violating and humiliating the righteous—especially revered teachers and brahmins—invites inevitable retribution.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma cites a well-known moral example (Vātāpi’s fate) to frame the danger of demonic deception and the karmic consequences of insulting the virtuous.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discernment aligned with dharma: recognizing that arrogance toward the righteous leads to downfall.