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STORIES · THE RĀMĀYAṆA · Uttara
Shambuka and the dead brahmin boy
In the text — not yet checked
The most contested episode of the epic; many scholars call it an interpolation.
An old brahmin blames the king for the untimely death of his son. Narada explains that an unqualified ascetic is violating varnashrama dharma. Rama searches by Pushpaka, finds Shambuka performing tapas for divine status and kills him so the boy can be revived.
Who: Shambuka, Rama, Narada
Places: Shaivala hill (tradition)
Where this comes from
- commentary · Essence of Valmiki Uttara Ramayana (kamakoti.org PDF) - summary of Valmiki's Uttara Kanda Sargas 73-76 as numbered in that summary