Valmiki Ramayana 2.49.16: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 49, Shloka 16
एकोनपञ्चाशः सर्गः (Sarga 49): Rāma’s Night Journey Beyond Kosala and the Charioteer Address
नात्यर्थमभिकाङ्क्षामि मृगयां सरयूवने ।
रतिर्ह्येषातुला लोके राजर्षिगणसम्मता ॥१६॥
nātyartham abhikāṅkṣāmi mṛgayāṁ sarayū-vane |
ratir hy eṣā ’tulā loke rājarṣi-gaṇa-sammatā ||16||
Allzu sehr begehre ich die Jagd im Wald am Sarayū nicht; doch ist dieses Spiel eine unvergleichliche Freude in der Welt, gebilligt im Kreis der königlichen Rishis.
In this world, hunting is a unique pleasure. It is regarded as a delightful sport forroyal sages. But I do not have a great longing for hunting in the forest on the bank of river Sarayu.
FAQs
Dharma is moderation: even where a practice is socially sanctioned for kṣatriyas and royal sages, Rama expresses restraint and does not cling to pleasure.
Rama reflects aloud that hunting is esteemed as a royal pastime, but he personally does not strongly crave it.
Self-control (dama)—a capacity to acknowledge pleasure without becoming attached to it.
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