Shloka 4.1.40

पम्पा-तीर-वर्णनम् / Rama’s Lament at Pampa and the Approach to Rishyamuka

Devanagari script

मयूरस्य वने नूनं रक्षसा न हृता प्रिया।तस्मान्नृत्यति रम्येषु वनेषु सह कान्तया।।।।

Transliteration

mayūrasya vane nūnaṃ rakṣasā na hṛtā priyā |

tasmān nṛtyati ramyeṣu vaneṣu saha kāntayā ||

Translation

Surely the peacock’s beloved has not been carried off by a rākṣasa; therefore he dances joyfully in these lovely woods together with his mate.

Context

'The peacock's beloved, for sure, has not been abducted by the demon. Therefore, he is dancing in delight in the forest in the company of his beloved.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Lakshmana
• rākṣasa (generic demon; contextually Ravana’s act)
• peacock
• beloved/mate (kāntā/priyā)

FAQs

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

By contrasting natural union with violent abduction, the verse condemns adharma (forcible taking) and implicitly upholds dharma as protection of rightful relationships and consent.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma interprets the peacock’s carefree dancing as evidence that its mate is safe, which painfully reminds him that Sītā was abducted.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral discernment: Rāma frames his personal grief through an ethical lens—abduction is wrong, and restoring Sītā is a righteous necessity.