Shloka 2

विंशः सर्गः (Sarga 20): शूर्पणखाप्रेरितराक्षसवधः

The Slaying of the Fourteen Demons Sent by Śūrpaṇakhā

Devanagari script

ते रामं पर्णशालायामुपविष्टं महाबलम्।ददृशुस्सीतया सार्धं वैदेह्या लक्ष्मणेन च।।।

Transliteration

te rāmaṃ parṇaśālāyām upaviṣṭaṃ mahābalam |

dadṛśuḥ sītayā sārdhaṃ vaidehyā lakṣmaṇena ca ||

Translation

അവർ ഇലക്കുടിലിൽ ഇരുന്ന മഹാബലനായ രാമനെ കണ്ടു—വൈദേഹിയായ സീതയോടും ലക്ഷ്മണനോടും കൂടെ।

Word by Word

• te: they
• te: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• rāmam: Rāma
• rāmam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• parṇaśālāyām: in the leaf-hut
• parṇaśālāyām: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parṇa-śālā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (पर्णैः शाला)

• upaviṣṭam: seated
• upaviṣṭam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-viś (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘seated’ (rāmam विशेषण)

• mahābalam: mighty
• mahābalam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā-bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय

• dadṛśuḥ: saw
• dadṛśuḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• sītayā: with Sītā
• sītayā: Sahakari (सहकारी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• sārdham: together with
• sārdham: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sārdham (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सहार्थक

• vaidehyā: with Vaidehī
• vaidehyā: Sahakari (सहकारी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaidehī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; उपनाम (Sītā)

• lakṣmaṇena: with Lakṣmaṇa
• lakṣmaṇena: Sahakari (सहकारी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

Context

They saw mighty Rama together with Vaidehi and Lakshmana sitting in the leaf-thatched cottage.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sītā (Vaidehī)
• Lakṣmaṇa
• parṇaśālā (leaf-thatched hut)

FAQs

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

The verse foregrounds household order and protective duty: Rāma remains composed and present with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, indicating disciplined vigilance and rightful guardianship even in the forest.

What is the narrative situation?

A group (the approaching rākṣasas along with Śūrpaṇakhā in the surrounding context) arrives and catches sight of Rāma seated with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa in the hermitage hut.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s steadiness and strength—calm presence under threat—supported by Lakṣmaṇa’s attentive companionship.