Shloka 3

Virādha-saṃvādaḥ — Encounter with Virādha in the Daṇḍakāraṇya

Aranya Kanda, Sarga 2

Devanagari script

नानामृगगणाकीर्णमृक्षशार्दूल सेवितम्।ध्वस्तवृक्षलतागुल्मं दुर्दर्शसलिलाशयम्।।3.2.2।।निष्कूजनानाशकुनिझिल्लिकागणनादितम्।लक्ष्मणानुगतो रामो वनमध्यं ददर्श ह।।3.2.3।।

Transliteration

niṣkūjanānā-śakuni-jhillikā-gaṇa-nāditam | lakṣmaṇānugato rāmo vanamadhyaṃ dadarśa ha ||

Translation

ലക്ഷ്മണൻ അനുഗമിക്കെ, രാമൻ വനത്തിന്റെ അന്തർഭാഗം കണ്ടു—അനവധി പക്ഷികളുടെ കൂജനവും ചില്ലികളുടെ കൂട്ടങ്ങളുടെ ചിലച്ചിലുമാൽ മുഴങ്ങുന്നതായി.

Word by Word

सीतयाwith Sita

सहtogether with

काकुत्स्थःKakutstha (Rama)

तस्मिन्in that (place)

अघोर-मृग-आयुतेin (a place) filled with dreadful animals

ददर्शsaw

गिरि-शृङ्ग-आभम्mountain-peak-like

पुरुषादम्man-eater, cannibal

महास्वनम्loud-sounding

Context

With Lakshmana following, Rama went through the forest, filled with herds of animals and inhabited by bears and tigers. It was a place where trees, creepers and bushes were crushed (by frequent visits of demons). It was difficult to locate a water source. And it resounded with the chirping of various birds and insects (crickets).

Characters & Entities

Rāma

Lakṣmaṇa

FAQs

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

It underscores the disciplined acceptance of vanavāsa—living rightly even in hardship, maintaining awareness and steadiness while traversing uncertain terrain.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa move through the forest; the narration sets the scene with vivid natural soundscape before danger emerges.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Endurance and composure—Rāma continues his duty-bound journey without complaint.