Shloka 3.69.51

अयोमुखी-दर्शनम् तथा कबन्ध-प्रवेशः (Ayomukhi Encounter and the ظهور of Kabandha)

Devanagari script

इति ब्रुवाणो दृढसत्यविक्रमो महायशा दाशरथिः प्रतापवान्।अवेक्ष्य सौमित्रिमुदग्रपौरुषं स्थिरां तदा स्वां मतिमात्मनाऽकरोत्।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ pūrveṇa tau gatvā trikrōśaṃ bhrātarau tadā |

krauñcāraṇyam atikramya mataṅgāśramam antarā ||

dṛṣṭvā tu tad vanaṃ ghoraṃ bahubhīmamṛgadvijam |

nānāsattvasamākīrṇaṃ sarvaṃ gahanapādapam ||

dadṛśāte tu tau tatra darīṃ daśarathātmajau |

pātālasamagambhīrāṃ tamasā nityasaṃvṛtām ||

Translation

Then the two brothers went eastward for three krośas; crossing the Krauñca forest near the āśrama of sage Mataṅga, they beheld a dreadful woodland—dense with deep trees, thronged with many kinds of beings, with fearsome beasts and birds. There the two sons of Daśaratha saw a cavern, ever veiled in darkness, deep as Pātāla.

Context

Firm in the strength of truth, famous and powerful Rama, son of Dasaratha, determined to act with a steadfast mind, spoke to Lakshmana of mighty manliness on seeing him.ityārṣa śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē araṇyakāṇḍē ēkōnasaptatitamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the sixtyninth sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Krauncha forest
• Matanga
• Matanga hermitage
• Rama
• Lakshmana
• Dasaratha
• Patala (netherworld)
• Cave (dari)

FAQs

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

Dharma as fearlessness in righteous pursuit: the heroes continue into threatening terrain because the cause—recovering Sītā and restoring order—is just.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa travel east, pass the Krauncha forest near Mataṅga’s hermitage, and encounter a terrifying forest and a deep, dark cave.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śaurya (valor): willingness to enter perilous places in the course of duty.