Shloka 24
विराधप्रश्नोत्तर-युद्धम्
Viradha’s Challenge and the Clash in Dandaka
यथा चेच्छति सौमित्रे तथा वहतु राक्षसः।अयमेव हि नः पन्था येन याति निशाचरः।।3.3.24।।
yathā cecchati saumitre tathā vahatu rākṣasaḥ | ayam eva hi naḥ panthā yena yāti niśācaraḥ || 3.3.24 ||
“ഹേ സൗമിത്രേ, രാക്ഷസൻ ഇച്ഛിക്കുന്നപോലെ തന്നെ നമ്മെ വഹിക്കട്ടെ; കാരണം ഈ നിശാചരൻ പോകുന്ന വഴിയേ തന്നെയാണ് സത്യത്തിൽ നമ്മുടെ വഴിയും.”
Know us to be both kshatriyas, endowed with a good lineage and yet moving in the forest. We both wish to know, who you are and why you are going about in Dandaka forest?
FAQs
Dharma includes purposeful action: rather than reacting in anger, Rāma turns the enemy’s move into a means to reach the source of danger and address it responsibly.
Rāma instructs Lakṣmaṇa to allow Virādha to proceed, using Virādha’s own route as a guide.
Resourcefulness and fearlessness—Rāma treats a perilous situation as an opportunity for dharmic resolution.