Shloka 12

विराधवधः

The Slaying (Burial) of Viradha

Devanagari script

इत्युक्त्वा लक्ष्मणं रामः प्रदरः खन्यतामिति।तस्थौ विराधमाक्रम्य कण्ठे पादेन वीर्यवान्।।।।

Transliteration

ity uktvā lakṣmaṇaṃ rāmaḥ pradaraḥ khanyatām iti |

tasthau virādham ākramya kaṇṭhe pādena vīryavān ||

Translation

Dicho esto a Lakṣmaṇa—«Que se cave una hendidura»—el poderoso Rāma se mantuvo en pie, oprimiendo con su pie el cuello de Virādha, sujetándolo.

Word by Word

इतिthus

उक्त्वाhaving said

लक्ष्मणम्to Lakshmana

रामःRama

प्रदरःa cleft, pit

खन्यताम्let (it) be dug

इतिthus

तस्थौstood

विराधम्Viradha

आक्रम्यhaving pressed down

कण्ठेon the neck

पादेनwith (his) foot

वीर्यवान्valiant

Context

Courageous Rama standing there put his foot firmly on the neck of Viradha and said to Lakshmana,' Dig up a crevice'.

Characters & Entities

Rāma

Lakṣmaṇa

Virādha

FAQs

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

Dharma includes firm restraint of wrongdoing: force is applied not for cruelty, but to prevent further violence and restore safety.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma immobilizes Virādha by pressing his neck with his foot while directing Lakṣmaṇa to dig a crevice/pit.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s valor combined with control—strength used with purpose and discipline.