Shloka 3
अयोध्याकाण्डे सर्गः ३७ — चीरधारणं, सीतासंकल्पः, वसिष्ठोपदेशः
Bark-Robe Episode and Vasistha’s Admonition
यो हि दत्त्वा द्विपश्रेष्ठं कक्ष्यायां कुरुते मनः।रज्जुस्नेहेन किं तस्य त्यजतः कुञ्जरोत्तमम्।।2.37.3।।
yo hi dattvā dvipaśreṣṭhaṁ kakṣyāyāṁ kurute manaḥ | rajjusnehena kiṁ tasya tyajataḥ kuñjarottamam ||2.37.3||
Denn wenn ein Mensch, nachdem er den besten der Elefanten verschenkt hat, seinen Geist noch an das Seil heftet, das um dessen Gurt gebunden ist—welchen Nutzen hat die Anhaftung an das Seil für den, der den erhabensten Elefanten selbst aufgegeben hat?
Having given away the best of elephants, will any one be interested in the rope tied to its girth? Why should one have any attachment for the rope after he has given up the elephant?
FAQs
It teaches that once a major renunciation or decision is made, clinging to minor attachments is irrational; dharma requires consistency of intent and freedom from petty grasping.
In context, it presses Daśaratha toward keeping his pledged word: if he must give up something immense, then attachment to lesser remnants is meaningless—satya demands following through on one’s promise.