Shloka 12

त्रिशिरोवधः (The Slaying of Triśiras)

Araṇyakāṇḍa, Sarga 27

Devanagari script

अहो विक्रमशूरस्य राक्षसस्येदृशं बलम्। पुष्पैरिव शरैर्यस्य ललाटेऽस्मिन्परिक्षतः।।3.27.12।।

Transliteration

aho vikramaśūrasya rākṣasasy edṛśaṃ balam | puṣpair iva śarair yasya lalāṭe 'smin parikṣataḥ ||

Translation

“അഹോ! പരാക്രമശൂരനായ ഈ രാക്ഷസന്റെ ബലം എത്ര അത്ഭുതം! ഇതിന്റെ അമ്പുകൾ പുഷ്പങ്ങളെന്നപോലെ—എന്റെ ഈ നെറ്റിയിൽ വെറും ചെറിയ ചുരണ്ടൽ മാത്രമേ വരുത്തിയുള്ളൂ.”

Word by Word

अहोoh!

विक्रमशूरस्यof the valor-hero

राक्षसस्यof the demon

ईदृशम्such, of this kind

बलम्strength

पुष्पैःwith flowers

इवas if, like

शरैःwith arrows

यस्यwhose

ललाटेon the forehead

अस्मिन्on this

परिक्षतःscratched, slightly wounded

Context

Oh! see the strength of this undaunted demon whose arrows fell like flowers on my forehead and only left a scratch.

Characters & Entities

Rāma

Triśiras (implied as the rākṣasa opponent)

FAQs

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

Satya and inner steadiness: Rāma truthfully assesses the blow as minor, refusing to magnify injury—modeling calm speech that denies the enemy psychological victory.

What is the narrative situation?

After being struck, Rāma speaks, ironically downplaying the damage and appraising Triśiras’ strength.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Composure and courage (dhairya, śaurya): Rāma remains unshaken and verbally controlled in the midst of combat.