Valmiki Ramayana 2.116.12 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 116, Shloka 12

तपस्विनाम् औत्सुक्यं राक्षसत्रासश्च

Ascetics’ Anxiety and the Fear of Rakshasas

Devanagari script

रावणावरजः कश्चित् खरो नामेह राक्षसः।उत्पाट्य तापसान्सर्वाञ्जनस्थाननिकेतनान्।।2.116.11।।धृष्टश्च जितकाशी च नृशंसः पुरुषादकः।अवलिप्तश्च पापश्च त्वां च तात न मृष्यते।।2.116.12।।

Transliteration

dhṛṣṭaś ca jitakāśī ca nṛśaṃsaḥ puruṣādakaḥ |

avaliptaś ca pāpaś ca tvāṃ ca tāta na mṛṣyate ||

Translation

அவன் துணிவுற்றவன்; காசியை வென்றவன் போல அகந்தையுடன் நடக்கிறான்; கொடியவன், மனிதமாமிசம் உண்ணும் நரபக்ஷகன், பெருமிதன், பாவி—அருமைத் தாதா, உன்னையும் அவன் பொறுக்கமாட்டான்.

Word by Word

• rāvaṇa-avarajaḥ: Ravana's younger brother
• rāvaṇa-avarajaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + avaraja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative/1st), Ekavacana (Singular); ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa: rāvaṇasya avarajaḥ (younger brother of Ravana)

• kaścit: a certain (one)
• kaścit: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nominative/1st), Ekavacana; anirdiṣṭa-pratyaya pronoun (indefinite)

• kharaḥ: Khara
• kharaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• nāma: by name
• nāma: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Name-marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nāma (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; saṃjñā-sūcaka particle (name-indicating indeclinable)

• iha: here
• iha: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Locative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iha (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; deśa-vācaka (adverb of place)

• rākṣasaḥ: a rakshasa (demon)
• rākṣasaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; apposition to kharaḥ

• utpāṭya: having uprooted / having driven out
• utpāṭya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial to main action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ut-√paṭ (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Absolutive/Gerund (त्वान्त/ल्यप्), pūrvakāla-kriyā (prior action)

• tāpasān: ascetics
• tāpasān: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāpasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (Accusative/2nd), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• sarvān: all
• sarvān: Karma (कर्म/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana; viśeṣaṇa of tāpasān

• janasthāna-niketanān: dwelling in Janasthana
• janasthāna-niketanān: Karma (कर्म/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: janasthāna (प्रातिपदिक) + niketana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana; ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa: janasthānasya niketanāḥ (residents of Janasthana); viśeṣaṇa of tāpasān

Context

O dear child, Khara, one of the brothers of Ravana is dwelling in nearby 'Janasthana'. He is impudent, reportedly winner of battles, cruel, sinful, a maneater and haughty. He has uprooted all the ascetics from Janasthana. He will not tolerate even you.

Characters & Entities

• Khara
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Recognizing and resisting adharma—cruelty and predation are condemned, and a truthful warning is issued to prevent further harm.

What is the narrative situation?

The ascetic describes Khara’s violent nature and warns Rāma that Khara’s hostility will extend even to him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Protective responsibility—urging preparedness so that the innocent (ascetics) are not left defenseless.