Shloka 3.71.9

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

Devanagari script

दीर्घमायुर्मया प्राप्तं किं मे शक्रः करिष्यति।।3.71.9।।इत्येवं बुद्धिमास्थाय रणे शक्रमधर्षयम्।

Transliteration

dīrgham āyur mayā prāptaṃ kiṃ me śakraḥ kariṣyati | ity evaṃ buddhim āsthāya raṇe śakram adharṣayam ||

Translation

Thinking, ‘I have obtained long life—what can Śakra (Indra) do to me?’, I adopted that reckless notion and assailed Indra in battle.

Context

Having been blessed with long life and thinking, what can Indra do to me?, I attackedhim.

Characters & Entities

• Indra (Śakra)
• Kabandha
• battle (raṇa)

FAQs

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

Boons and power do not justify arrogance; dharma requires restraint and right judgment, and pride-driven aggression leads to ruin.

What is the narrative situation?

Kabandha describes the specific thought that led him to challenge Indra—confidence born of a boon—resulting in his disastrous confrontation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discernment (viveka) by contrast: the verse highlights the absence of wise judgment as the root of ethical failure.