Shloka 1.1.47

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

Devanagari script

ततश्शूर्पणखावाक्यादुद्युक्तान्सर्वराक्षसान् ।खरं त्रिशिरसं चैव दूषणं चैव राक्षसम् ।।।।निजघान वने रामस्तेषां चैव पदानुगान् ।

Transliteration

tataḥ śūrpaṇakhāvākyād udyuktān sarvarākṣasān | kharaṃ triśirasaṃ caiva dūṣaṇaṃ caiva rākṣasam | nijaghāna vane rāmas teṣāṃ caiva padānugān || 1.1.47 ||

Translation

Thereafter, provoked by Śūrpaṇakhā’s words, the rākṣasas rose for battle; in that forest Rāma struck down Khara, Triśiras, Dūṣaṇa, and their followers.

Context

Thereafter Rama killed in the fight all the rakshasas, Khara, Trisira, and Dushana with their followers in a battle who were instigated by Surpanakha's words.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Śūrpaṇakhā
• Khara
• Triśiras
• Dūṣaṇa
• rākṣasas
• forest (vana)

FAQs

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

Force is employed as a last-resort instrument of dharma: violence used to stop violence and restore safety for sages and the innocent.

What is the narrative situation?

After Śūrpaṇakhā incites them, Khara and other rākṣasas attack; Rāma defeats them along with their retinue.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage aligned with restraint—Rāma fights not for conquest but to neutralize a threat to dharmic order.