Shloka 4
विराधप्रश्नोत्तर-युद्धम्
Viradha’s Challenge and the Clash in Dandaka
क्षत्रियौ वृत्तसम्पन्नौ विद्धि नौ वनगोचरौ।त्वां तु वेदितुमिच्छावः कस्त्वं चरसि दण्डकान्।।3.3.4।।
kṣatriyau vṛttasampannau viddhi nau vanagocarau | tvāṃ tu veditum icchāvaḥ kas tvaṃ carasi daṇḍakān || 3.3.4 ||
جان لو کہ ہم دونوں باکردار کشتریہ ہیں، جو اب جنگل میں پھر رہے ہیں؛ مگر ہم تمہیں جاننا چاہتے ہیں—تم کون ہو، اور دندک کے بیابان میں کیوں گھومتے ہو؟
O Lakshmana, let the night-stalker go the way he wishes. That is, in fact, our path.
FAQs
Dharma here is disciplined speech and rightful inquiry: Rāma asserts a moral identity (good conduct) and seeks clarity before action—truthful dialogue preceding conflict.
In Daṇḍaka, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa confront a rākṣasa and ask him to identify himself and his purpose.
Viveka (discernment) and maryādā (propriety): Rāma questions first rather than reacting impulsively.