Shloka 4
विराधप्रश्नोत्तर-युद्धम्
Viradha’s Challenge and the Clash in Dandaka
क्षत्रियौ वृत्तसम्पन्नौ विद्धि नौ वनगोचरौ।त्वां तु वेदितुमिच्छावः कस्त्वं चरसि दण्डकान्।।3.3.4।।
kṣatriyau vṛttasampannau viddhi nau vanagocarau | tvāṃ tu veditum icchāvaḥ kas tvaṃ carasi daṇḍakān || 3.3.4 ||
Sabe que somos dos kṣatriyas de conducta noble, que ahora andamos por el bosque. Pero deseamos saber de ti: ¿quién eres y por qué recorres la selva de Daṇḍaka?
O Lakshmana, let the night-stalker go the way he wishes. That is, in fact, our path.
FAQs
Dharma here is disciplined speech and rightful inquiry: Rāma asserts a moral identity (good conduct) and seeks clarity before action—truthful dialogue preceding conflict.
In Daṇḍaka, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa confront a rākṣasa and ask him to identify himself and his purpose.
Viveka (discernment) and maryādā (propriety): Rāma questions first rather than reacting impulsively.