Shloka 20

अरण्यकाण्डे द्वात्रिंशः सर्गः

Śūrpaṇakhā’s Report to Rāvaṇa and the Panegyric of His Might

Devanagari script

आप्तयज्ञहरं क्रूरं ब्रह्मघ्नं दुष्टचारिणम्।कर्कशं निरनुक्रोशं प्रजानामहिते रतम्।।।।

Transliteration

āptayajñaharaṃ krūraṃ brahmaghnaṃ duṣṭacāriṇam |

karkaśaṃ niranukrośaṃ prajānām ahite ratam ||

Translation

യാഗസമാപ്തിയിൽ യാഗഫലം കവർന്നെടുക്കുന്നവൻ, ക്രൂരൻ, ബ്രഹ്മഹന്താവ്, ദുഷ്ടാചാരൻ; കർക്കശൻ, കരുണയില്ലാത്തവൻ, ജനങ്ങളുടെ അഹിതത്തിൽ തന്നെ നിരതനായവൻ—അവൻ അങ്ങനെയായിരുന്നു.

Word by Word

• आप्त-यज्ञ-हरम्: stealer of (duly) completed sacrifices
• आप्त-यज्ञ-हरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आप्त + यज्ञ + हर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; adjective to implied 'रावणम्' (one who steals sacrifices at their completion)

• क्रूरम्: cruel
• क्रूरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; adjective

• ब्रह्मघ्नम्: slayer of brahmins
• ब्रह्मघ्नम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मन् + घ्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'slayer of brahmins'

• दुष्ट-चारिणम्: of wicked conduct
• दुष्ट-चारिणम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुष्ट + चारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'one of wicked conduct'

• कर्कशम्: harsh
• कर्कशम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कर्कश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; adjective

• निर्-अनुक्रोशम्: merciless
• निर्-अनुक्रोशम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर् + अनुक्रोश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'without compassion'

• प्रजानाम्: of the people
• प्रजानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन; genitive plural (of the subjects/people)

• अहिते: in what is harmful; against welfare
• अहिते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ-हित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), एकवचन; locative singular (in harm/against welfare)

• रतम्: engaged; devoted
• रतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रम् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय, past passive participle used adjectivally: 'engaged/delighting'); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

Context

He disrupted sacrifices at the final stage. He killed brahmins. He was ruthless, harsh, and merciless. He was involved in activities against human welfare.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Yajña (sacrifice)
• Brahmins
• Prajā (people)

FAQs

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

Dharma demands protection of the innocent, respect for sacred learning, and support of public welfare. The verse lists anti-Dharmic markers: cruelty, sacrilege, violence against brahmins, and governance opposed to the people’s good.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration intensifies Rāvaṇa’s moral profile, preparing the reader to see the coming conflict as a confrontation between Dharma and entrenched adharma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Compassion and public-mindedness are the implied virtues—highlighted by their absence in Rāvaṇa.