Shloka 17
सीताया धर्मोपदेशः—शस्त्रसंयोगदोषकथा
Sita’s Counsel on Dharma and the Peril of Weapon-Association
पुरा किल महाबाहो तपस्स्वी सत्यवाक्छुचिः।।3.9.17।।कस्मिंश्चिदभवत्पुण्ये वने रतमृगद्विजे।
purā kila mahābāho tapassvī satyavāk śuciḥ ||3.9.17||
kasmiṃś cid abhavat puṇye vane ratamṛgadvije |
قديماً، أيها العظيم الذراعين، كان في غابة مقدسة ما ناسكٌ متقشّف، طاهرٌ صادقُ القول، حيث كانت الظباء والطيور تتحرك في سلام.
A bow in the hand of a kshatriya is like fuel to fire. It surely swells his strength and his brilliance.
FAQs
Satya and śauca (purity) are highlighted as foundations of dharma; the forest is portrayed as a space where non-violence and sacred practice can flourish.
Sītā begins an illustrative story about an exemplary truth-speaking ascetic to support her argument about the dangers surrounding power and temptation.
The ascetic’s satya (truthfulness) and inner purity, presented as an ideal worth protecting.