Shloka 24
कण्वोपदेशः—नश्वरबलविवेकः तथा मातलिगुणकेश्याः आख्यानारम्भः
Kaṇva’s Counsel on Impermanent Power; Opening of the Mātali–Guṇakeśī Narrative
राम उवाच उच्यमानस्तथापि सम भूय एवाभ्यभाषत | पुन: पुन: क्षम्यमाण: सान्त्व्यमानश्व॒ भारत
rāma uvāca ucyamānas tathāpi saṃ bhūya evābhyabhāṣata | punaḥ punaḥ kṣamyamāṇaḥ sāntvyamānaś ca bhārata ||
Rama said: Even while being addressed and admonished, he nevertheless spoke again in the same manner. Again and again—though forgiven and repeatedly consoled—he continued, O Bharata.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical tension: even when a person is repeatedly forgiven and gently counseled, they may persist in the same speech or stance. It implicitly praises patience and forgiveness in the counselor, while warning against stubbornness and lack of self-restraint in speech.
Rama reports that someone, though being addressed (likely corrected or advised), keeps replying in the same way. Despite being pardoned and soothed repeatedly, the person continues to speak again and again, prompting Rama’s remark to Bharata.