Shloka 1.1.40

श्रीमद्रामायणकथासङ्क्षेपः / The Ramayana in Synopsis (Narada’s Summary to Valmiki)

Devanagari script

गते तु भरते श्रीमान् सत्यसन्धो जितेन्द्रिय: ।।1.1.39।।रामस्तु पुनरालक्ष्य नागरस्य जनस्य च । तत्रागमनमेकाग्रो दण्डकान्प्रविवेश ह ।।1.1.40।।

Transliteration

praviśya tu mahāraṇyaṃ rāmo rājīvalocanaḥ |

virādhaṃ rākṣasaṃ hatvā śarabhaṅgaṃ dadarśa ha |

sutīkṣṇaṃ cāpy agastyaṃ ca agastyabhrātaraṃ tathā ||

Translation

Entering the great wilderness, lotus-eyed Rāma slew the rākṣasa Virādha, and then beheld the sage Śarabhaṅga, as well as Sutīkṣṇa, Agastya, and Agastya’s brother.

Context

When Bharata departed, Sri Rama, a man of good fortune and steadfast in vows one who had conquered under control perceiving that the citizens from Ayodhya would arrive there, entered the Dandaka forest with single minded determination (so that there would not be breach of his promise).

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Virādha
• Śarabhaṅga
• Sutīkṣṇa
• Agastya
• Agastya’s brother
• Daṇḍakāraṇya (implied by mahāraṇya)

FAQs

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

Dharma as protection of the righteous: Rāma’s force is directed toward removing threats to sages and the moral order of the forest.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma enters the forest, kills Virādha, and proceeds to meet major sages—marking a transition into the forest-based dharma of protecting ascetic communities.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s righteous valor: strength exercised in defense of spiritual communities rather than conquest.