Shloka 25
विराधप्रश्नोत्तर-युद्धम्
Viradha’s Challenge and the Clash in Dandaka
स तु स्वबलवीर्येण समुत्क्षिप्य निशाचरः।बालाविव स्कन्धगतौ चकारातिबलोद्धतः।।3.3.25।।
sa tu svabalavīryeṇa samutkṣipya niśācaraḥ | bālāv iva skandhagatau cakāra atibaloddhataḥ || 3.3.25 ||
Тогда ночной ракшаса, возгордившийся своей силой и доблестью, подхватил их и усадил обоих себе на плечи, словно они были малыми детьми.
Then Viradha said to Rama whose truth was his strength, I will tell you who I am. O, listen:
FAQs
The verse contrasts brute force and pride with dharma: physical power, when joined to arrogance, becomes a mark of adharma and sets the stage for righteous correction.
Virādha physically lifts Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa and carries them on his shoulders.
Implicitly, the brothers’ composure under insult and threat; explicitly, Virādha’s arrogance as a vice.