Shloka 1.48.3

अहल्याशापवर्णनम् (The Account of Ahalyā’s Curse and the Deserted Hermitage near Mithilā)

Devanagari script

इमौ कुमारौ भद्रं ते देवतुल्यपराक्रमौ।गजसिंहगती वीरौ शार्दूलवृषभोपमौ।।1.48.2।।पद्मपत्रविशालाक्षौ खड्गतूणी धनुर्धरौ।अश्विनाविव रूपेण समुपस्थितयौवनौ।।1.48.3।।यदृच्छयैव गां प्राप्तौ देवलोकादिवामरौ।कथं पद्भ्यामिह प्राप्तौ किमर्थं कस्य वा मुने।।1.48.4।।

Transliteration

yadā caitad vanaṃ ghoraṃ rāmo daśarathātmajaḥ |

āgamiṣyati durdharṣas tadā pūtā bhaviṣyasi |

Translation

And when Rāma, the unassailable son of Daśaratha, comes into this dreadful forest, then you shall be purified.

Context

"O Sage, wish you well Who are these two youths who seem to possess the prowess of celestial beings. They walk with the gait of an elephant or a lion. They are courageous like tiger or a bull. Their large eyes are like lotuspetals. They are armed with scimitars, bows and quivers. They are young and handsome like Aswinikumaras dropped from heaven casually. Whose sons are they? How did they come here on foot? With what purpose?

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Daśaratha
• forest (vana)
• Ahalyā

FAQs

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

Dharma includes the possibility of restoration: after accountability and penance, purification is attainable, and righteousness (embodied by Rāma) becomes the occasion for renewal.

What is the narrative situation?

Gautama sets a condition for Ahalyā’s release: Rāma’s future arrival in the forest will mark the moment of her purification.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s quality as durdharṣa (unassailable) implies steadfast righteousness and moral authority that uplifts and restores.