Shloka 4

Virādha-saṃvādaḥ — Encounter with Virādha in the Daṇḍakāraṇya

Aranya Kanda, Sarga 2

Devanagari script

सीतया सह काकुत्स्थस्तस्मिनघोरमृगायुते।ददर्श गिरिशृङ्गाभं पुरुषादं महास्वनम्।।।।

Transliteration

sītayā saha kākutsthas tasmin aghora-mṛgāyute | dadarśa giriśṛṅgābhaṃ puruṣādaṃ mahāsvanam ||

Translation

சீதையுடன் காகுத்ஸ்த ராமன் அந்தக் கொடிய மிருகங்கள் நிறைந்த இடத்தில் சென்றபோது, மலைச் சிகரம்போல் உயர்ந்து, பேரொலியுடன் கர்ஜிக்கும், மனிதரை உண்ணும் ராட்சசனை கண்டான்.

Word by Word

• गम्भीर-अक्षम्: deep-eyed
• गम्भीर-अक्षम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gambhīra + akṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण of implied ‘पुरुषादम्’; कर्मधारय (‘गम्भीरम् अक्षि यस्य’ = deep-eyed)

• महा-वक्त्रम्: large-faced
• महा-वक्त्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + vaktra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; कर्मधारय (large-faced)

• विकटम्: hideous, formidable
• विकटम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vikaṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• विषम-उदरम्: pot-bellied, with a huge belly
• विषम-उदरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viṣama + udara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; कर्मधारय (with uneven/huge belly)

• बीभत्सम्: loathsome
• बीभत्सम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bībhatsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• विषमम्: uneven, grotesque
• विषमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viṣama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• दीर्घम्: tall, long
• दीर्घम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīrgha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• विकृतम्: deformed, ugly
• विकृतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vikṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• घोर-दर्शनम्: terrifying in appearance
• घोर-दर्शनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ghora + darśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; कर्मधारय (‘घोरं दर्शनं यस्य’ = frightful-looking)

Context

While Rama along with Sita was wandering in the forest infested with dreadful animals, he saw a roaring cannibal resembling the peak of a mountain.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sītā
• Virādha (implied by context as the man-eater encountered here)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is protective vigilance: when adharma appears as predatory violence, the righteous must recognize it promptly and respond to safeguard the vulnerable.

What is the narrative situation?

The first sighting of the terrifying man-eater (Virādha) occurs as Rāma and Sītā traverse the forest.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s alert guardianship—his role as protector becomes central as danger approaches.