Shloka 14

सीताप्रत्याख्यानम् / Rama’s Post-Victory Address to Sītā

Public Opinion and Royal Duty

Devanagari script

निर्जिताजीवलोकस्यतपसाभावितात्मना ।अगस्त्येनदुराधर्षामुनिनादक्षिणेवधिक् ।।6.118.14।।

Transliteration

nirjitā jīva-lokasya tapasā bhāvitātmanā | agastyena durādharṣā muninā dakṣiṇe vadhik ||

Translation

Für die Welt der Sterblichen ist die südliche Himmelsrichtung schwer zu bezwingen; doch der Weise Agastya, im Geist bezwungen und durch Askese gestärkt, hat sie überwunden. So habe auch ich gesiegt.

Word by Word

निर्जिताconquered

जीवलोकस्यof the world of mortals

तपसाby austerity

भावितात्मनाwith a perfected self

अगस्त्येनby Agastya

दुराधर्षाhard to assail

मुनिनाby the sage

दक्षिणाsouthern

इवas if, like

दिक्direction, quarter

Context

"Though the southern quarter is difficult to assail for the world of mortals, Agastya, a realized sage, has won by the power of his austerity. In the same way I have won you."

Characters & Entities

Rāma

Sītā

Agastya

dakṣiṇā diś (southern quarter)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is taught through precedent: great deeds should align with exemplary models (like Agastya), where inner discipline (tapas) enables the overcoming of what seems impossible.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma invokes Agastya as an analogy to frame his achievement as a righteous overcoming of a daunting challenge.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s alignment with dhārmic exemplars—he legitimizes action by linking it to ascetic power and moral authority.