Shloka 4
मारीचवधोत्तरं रामस्य शङ्का-निमित्त-दर्शनं लक्ष्मण-निग्रहश्च
After Maricha’s Slaying: Omens, Anxiety, and Rama’s Rebuke of Lakshmana
अशुभं बत मन्येऽहं गोमायुर्वाश्यते यथा।स्वस्ति स्यादपि वैदेह्या राक्षसैर्भक्षणं विना।।।।
aśubhaṃ bata manye ’haṃ gomāyur vāśyate yathā | svasti syād api vaidehyā rākṣasair bhakṣaṇaṃ vinā ||
ഇത് എനിക്ക് അശുഭമായി തോന്നുന്നു—കുറുക്കൻ ഇങ്ങനെ അലറുന്നു. വൈദേഹി സുരക്ഷിതയായിരിക്കട്ടെ; രാക്ഷസന്മാർ അവളെ ഭക്ഷിക്കാതിരിക്കട്ടെ എന്നു മംഗളപ്രാർത്ഥന.
'The way the jackal is howling appears ominous. May Sita be safe without being eaten up by demons !
FAQs
Dharma here appears as the duty of protection and responsibility: Rāma’s mind turns immediately to Sītā’s safety, showing that righteous guardianship includes vigilance and concern for dependents.
After the deceptive events involving the golden deer, Rāma senses danger through ominous signs (the jackal’s howl) and fears for Sītā’s welfare.
Protective responsibility and compassionate concern—Rāma’s immediate worry is not for himself but for Sītā’s safety.