Question

Match List I (Famous Ramayana Verses) with List II (Their Context/Situation) and choose the correct option:
List I (Verse)
A. "Deshe deshe kalatrani deshe deshe cha bandhavah..."
B. "Maranantani vairani nivruttam nah prayojanam..."
C. "Sevmane dridham surye dishamantakasevitam..."
D. "Tvam kshuram jihvaya lekshi..."
List II (Context)
I. Sita's reply to Ravana's proposal
II. Rama's lament when Lakshmana is hit by the Shakti weapon
III. Rama's instruction for Ravana's funeral rites
IV. Description of the Hemanta (Winter) season

• A. A-III, B-II, C-IV, D-I
• B. A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II
• C. A-I, B-III, C-II, D-IV
• D. A-II, B-III, C-IV, D-I

Hint:

Keywords are keys to context: Kalatrani (Wife/Family) + Brother = Rama's grief for Lakshmana. Maranantani (End with death) = Ravana's funeral. Kshuram (Razor) = Sita's bold defiance.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Valmiki's Ramayana is not just an epic narrative but a masterpiece of Sanskrit poetry (Adi-Kavya). Certain verses are iconic because they encapsulate profound human emotions, ethical heights, or vivid natural descriptions. Identifying these verses within their specific narrative context (Kanda) and speaker-situation is a standard way to test a candidate's deep reading of the original text.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation of the Verses:
1. A-II: During the Yuddha Kanda, when Lakshmana is struck unconscious by Indrajit's lethal Shakti weapon, Lord Rama breaks down in profound grief. He utters the famous lines: "In every country one can find a wife (Kalatrani) and relatives, but a brother like Lakshmana, born of the same womb, cannot be found anywhere." This highlights the unique bond between the two brothers.
2. B-III: After the death of Ravana, his brother Bibhishana is hesitant to perform the last rites of the fallen demon-king. Rama intervenes with a show of supreme nobility, saying: "Enmities end with death (Maranantani vairani). Our purpose is served. He is as much my brother as he is yours. Perform the rites." This verse establishes the ideal of the 'Dharmic Hero' who bears no malice toward a defeated enemy.
3. C-IV: In the Aranya Kanda, Valmiki provides a stunning description of the Hemanta (Winter) season. This verse describes how the Sun (Surya) now 'serves' the southern direction (of Yama/Antaka) and the atmosphere becomes cool and pleasant. It is a prime example of classical nature-poetry (Svabhavokti).
4. D-I: In the Sundara Kanda, when Ravana approaches Sita in the Ashoka Grove with an improper proposal, Sita rebukes him with fearless metaphors. She tells him that by wanting to touch her, he is like someone trying to lick a sharp razor with his tongue—a fatal, suicidal mistake.

Step 3: Synthesis:
The matching is: A-II (Lakshmana's fall), B-III (Ravana's funeral), C-IV (Winter description), and D-I (Sita's defiance).

Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct matching sequence is (4).