Shloka 142
The Origin of the Daṇḍaka Forest and Rāma’s Dharma-Judgment
Vulture vs. Owl
ते हता ब्रह्मदंडेन सद्यो नरकगामिनः । ईदृशस्त्वं रघुश्रेष्ठ पावनः सर्वदेहिनां
te hatā brahmadaṃḍena sadyo narakagāminaḥ | īdṛśastvaṃ raghuśreṣṭha pāvanaḥ sarvadehināṃ
ब्रह्मदण्डेन ते हताḥ सद्य एव नरकगामिनोऽभवन्; त्वं तु रघुश्रेष्ठ सर्वदेहिनां पावनः ईदृशः।
Unspecified in provided excerpt (speaker not identifiable without surrounding verses)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Sandhi Resolution Notes: brahmadaṃḍena = brahma-daṇḍena; narakagāminaḥ = naraka-gāminaḥ; īdṛśastvaṃ = īdṛśaḥ + tvam.
FAQs
It presents immediate moral consequence: those struck by the “Brahmā’s rod” are described as becoming hell-bound at once, underscoring swift retribution for grave wrongdoing.
The verse praises Rāma (Raghuśreṣṭha) as inherently purifying—his presence, conduct, or remembrance is portrayed as spiritually cleansing for all embodied beings.
It contrasts destructive, sinful conduct leading to downfall with righteous, dharmic exemplarity that elevates and purifies others—encouraging alignment with dharma and virtuous leadership.