Shloka 16

एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः (Aranyakanda 39): राक्षसस्य रामत्रासवर्णनम् / The Demon’s Account of Rama

Fear

Devanagari script

राममेव हि पश्यामि रहिते राक्षसाधिप।दृष्ट्वा स्वप्नगतं राममुद्भ्रमामि विचेतनः।।।।

Transliteration

rāmam eva hi paśyāmi rahite rākṣasādhipa |

dṛṣṭvā svapnagataṃ rāmam udbhramāmi vicetanaḥ ||

Translation

ഹേ രാക്ഷസാധിപാ, ഞാൻ ഒറ്റയ്ക്കായാലും രാമനെയേ കാണുന്നു; സ്വപ്നത്തിലുപോലും രാമനെ കണ്ടാൽ ഞാൻ ബോധം നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ട് ഭ്രമത്തിൽ അലഞ്ഞുതിരിയുന്നു।

Word by Word

• rakārādīni: beginning with 'ra'
• rakārādīni: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of 'nāmāni'
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ra-kāra (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa: rakārāt ādiḥ yeṣām (beginning with 'ra')

• nāmāni: names
• nāmāni: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana

• rāmatrastasya: of one terrified of Rama
• rāmatrastasya: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक) + trasta (PPP from √tras)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (Genitive), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: rāmeṇa trastasya (of one frightened by Rama)

• rāvaṇa: O Ravana
• rāvaṇa: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Sambodhana, Ekavacana

• ratnāni: gems
• ratnāni: Karta (कर्ता) (co-subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• rathāḥ: chariots
• rathāḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (co-subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• eva: also/indeed
• eva: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle

• trāsam: fear
• trāsam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: trāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (Accusative), Ekavacana

• sañjanayanti: produce
• sañjanayanti: Kriyā (मुख्यक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam + √jan (जन् धातु) + ṇic (णिच् causative)
• Form: Laṭ (Present), Prathama puruṣa (3rd person), Bahuvacana; causative: 'they generate'

• me: for me
• me: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान) / Anubhāvaka
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Caturthī (Dative), Ekavacana enclitic

Context

O king of the demons ! I see only Rama even in solitude. When I see him in a dream I lose my senses in a state of bewilderment.

Characters & Entities

• Marīca
• Rāma
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as an objective moral force: wrongdoing generates inner torment and fear. Marīca’s mind is haunted by the righteous warrior he wronged, illustrating that adharma destabilizes one’s conscience and peace.

What is the narrative situation?

Marīca, recalling his earlier encounter with Rāma, warns Rāvaṇa by describing how Rāma’s presence overwhelms him even in solitude and dreams.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence born of experience: Marīca recognizes consequences and urges restraint, valuing survival and truth over reckless pride.