Shloka 3.47.39

सीतारावणसंवादः — Ravana Reveals Himself; Sita Affirms Rama’s Dharma

Devanagari script

क्षुधितस्य हि सिंहस्य मृगशत्रोस्तरस्विनः।आशीविषस्य मुखाद्दंष्ट्रामादातुमिच्छसि।।3.47.39।।

Transliteration

kṣudhitasya hi siṁhasya mṛgaśatror tarasvinaḥ | āśīviṣasya mukhād daṁṣṭrām ādātum icchasi || 3.47.39 ||

Translation

You seek to wrench out the teeth from the mouth of a hungry, powerful lion—an enemy of deer; and you even mean to pluck a fang from the mouth of a venomous serpent.

Context

You are seeking to pull the teeth from the mouth of a hungry and powerful lion who is considered the enemy of the deer(which you are). You intend to pull the fang of a poisonous snake.

Characters & Entities

• Mārīca
• Rāvaṇa
• siṁha (lion)
• āśīviṣa (venomous snake)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes restraint and right judgment: pursuing another’s wife and provoking the righteous is self-destructive, like handling lethal danger knowingly.

What is the narrative situation?

Mārīca cautions Rāvaṇa against his plan to take Sītā, warning that it invites certain catastrophe.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudent counsel (nīti) and moral clarity—Mārīca highlights foresight and the duty to restrain adharma-driven ambition.