Shloka 22
सीताया धर्मोपदेशः—शस्त्रसंयोगदोषकथा
Sita’s Counsel on Dharma and the Peril of Weapon-Association
नित्यं शस्त्रं परिवहन्क्रमेण स तपोधनः।।3.9.22।।चकार रौद्रीं स्वां बुद्धिं त्यक्त्वा तपसि निश्चयम्।
nityaṃ śastraṃ parivahan krameṇa sa tapodhanaḥ | cakāra raudrīṃ svāṃ buddhiṃ tyaktvā tapasi niścayam ||
وكان يحمل السلاح على الدوام؛ فذلك الناسك الغنيّ بالتقشّف أخذ يترك تدريجًا عزمه على الزهد، وجعل عقله قاسيًا شرسًا.
While the sage moved about holding the weapon, he gave up the practice of penance gradually and developed a violent mindset.
FAQs
External instruments (weapons) can reshape inner disposition; dharma requires guarding the mind so that duty does not degenerate into violence.
The story turns: continuous weapon-carrying leads the sage away from ascetic practice toward a harsh mentality.
Steadfastness in tapas is contrasted with its loss—highlighting the virtue of mental discipline.