Shloka 3.71.12

दनु-शापकथा तथा सीताहरण-प्रश्नः (Danu’s Curse Narrative and Rama’s Inquiry about Sita)

Devanagari script

अनाहारः कथं शक्तो भग्नसक्थिशिरोमुखः।।3.71.12।।वज्रेणाभिहतः कालं सुदीर्घमपि जीवितुम्।

Transliteration

anāhāraḥ kathaṃ śakto bhagnasakthiśiromukhaḥ || 3.71.12 ||

vajreṇābhihataḥ kālaṃ sudīrgham api jīvitum |

Translation

Struck by the thunderbolt, with thighs, head, and face broken—how could I, without food, survive for so very long?

Context

Hit by the thunderbolt, my thigh-bones, head and face were broken. Somehow I could manage to live for a long time without food.

Characters & Entities

• vajra (thunderbolt)
• Indra (implied)
• Kabandha
• Rama

FAQs

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

Endurance under consequences: Dharma recognizes that suffering may persist due to prior causes, and one must bear it until the destined resolution arrives.

What is the narrative situation?

Kabandha marvels at his prolonged survival despite grievous injury and starvation, preparing for the explanation of Indra’s further intervention.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Titikṣā (forbearance): the capacity to endure pain and deprivation while awaiting the working-out of fate and truth.