Shloka 7

विंशः सर्गः (Sarga 20): शूर्पणखाप्रेरितराक्षसवधः

The Slaying of the Fourteen Demons Sent by Śūrpaṇakhā

Devanagari script

पुत्रौ दशरथस्यावां भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ।प्रविष्टौ सीतया सार्धं दुश्चरं दण्डकावनम्।।।।

Transliteration

putrau daśarathasyāvāṃ bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau | praviṣṭau sītayā sārdhaṃ duścaraṃ daṇḍakāvanam ||

Translation

ഞങ്ങൾ ദശരഥന്റെ പുത്രന്മാരായ രണ്ടു സഹോദരങ്ങൾ—രാമനും ലക്ഷ്മണനും—സീതയോടുകൂടെ ദുഷ്കരമായ ദണ്ഡകവനത്തിൽ പ്രവേശിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• putrau: two sons
• putrau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Dvivacana (dual)

• daśarathasya: of Dasharatha
• daśarathasya: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daśaratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th), Ekavacana

• āvām: we two
• āvām: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Uttama-puruṣa pronoun; Prathamā (1st), Dvivacana (dual)

• bhrātarau: two brothers
• bhrātarau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Dvivacana

• rāma-lakṣmaṇau: Rama and Lakshmana
• rāma-lakṣmaṇau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक) + lakṣmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva (द्वन्द्व, itaretara) compound; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Dvivacana

• praviṣṭau: (we two) entered
• praviṣṭau: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + viś (विश् धातु)
• Form: Kta-pratyaya (क्त), past participle used predicatively; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Dvivacana; 'having entered'

• sītayā: with Sita
• sītayā: Sahakāraka (सह/साकं)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Ekavacana

• sārdham: together with
• sārdham: Sahārtha (सह)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sārdham (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb/postposition meaning 'together with' (सह-अर्थ)

• duścaram: hard to traverse
• duścaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: duścara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā (2nd), Ekavacana; qualifies daṇḍakāvanam

• daṇḍakāvanam: the Dandaka forest
• daṇḍakāvanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daṇḍaka (प्रातिपदिक) + vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) = 'daṇḍakasya vanam'; Napumsaka, Dvitīyā (2nd), Ekavacana

Context

We, Rama and Lakshmana, sons of Dasaratha, are brothers, who have entered the inaccessible Dandaka forest along with Sita.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Lakshmana
• Sita
• Dasaratha
• Dandaka forest (Daṇḍakāvana)

FAQs

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

Satya (truthfulness) and transparency: Rama states his identity plainly, showing dharmic conduct even toward adversaries.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama introduces himself and Lakshmana, explaining that they are in the Dandaka forest with Sita.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthful speech (satya) joined with calm self-possession in a tense encounter.