Shloka 5.41.13

प्रमदावनविध्वंसः | The Devastation of the Pleasure-Garden (Ashoka Vatika)

Devanagari script

अहं तु तैः संयति चण्डविक्रमै स्समेत्य रक्षोभिरसह्य विक्रमः।निहत्य तद्रावणचोदितं बलं सुखं गमिष्यामि कपीश्वरालयम्।।।।

Transliteration

alpaśeṣam idaṃ kāryaṃ dṛṣṭeyam asitekṣaṇā |

trīn upāyān atikramya caturthaḥ iha vidyate ||

Translation

Little now remains of this task: the dark-eyed lady has been beheld. Having gone beyond the three expedients, only the fourth means remains here—punishment by force.

Context

'I will fight with the ogres sent by Ravana, endowed with fierce strength and irresistible valour. After destroying their army I will go to the abode of vanaras happily'.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā (asitekṣaṇā)
• upāyas (sāma-dāna-bheda implied)
• daṇḍa (punitive force implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is goal-oriented righteousness: once peaceful and diplomatic means are no longer applicable, force (daṇḍa) may be used to protect the innocent and complete a just mission.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān has already located Sītā in Laṅkā; he now considers the remaining steps, concluding that confrontation with rākṣasa forces is inevitable.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Pragmatic courage guided by dharma—Hanumān’s resolve to act decisively, but only after other means are implicitly considered complete.