Shloka 4.12.34

द्वादशः सर्गः — Rama’s Proof of Power, the First Duel, and the Identification Mark (Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 12)

Devanagari script

त्वयि वीरे विपन्ने हि अज्ञानाल्लाघवान्मया।मौढ्यं च मम बाल्यं च ख्यापितं स्यात्कपीश्वर4.12.34।।

Transliteration

tvayi vīre vipanne hi ajñānāl lāghavān mayā |

mauḍhyaṁ ca mama bālyaṁ ca khyāpitaṁ syāt kapīśvara || 4.12.34 ||

Translation

O lord of monkeys, if you—the brave one—had come to harm because of my ignorance and rashness, my folly and childishness would have been exposed.

Context

'O lord of monkeys! I would have betrayed my foolishness and childishness had I exposed you to danger by my ignorance and thoughtlessness.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sugrīva (Kapīśvara)

FAQs

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

Leaders must be accountable for harm caused by negligence; dharma condemns rash action rooted in ignorance.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma emphasizes that he avoided shooting because a mistake could endanger Sugrīva.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility and responsibility—Rāma openly names error as ‘folly’ rather than justifying it.