Shloka 32
सूर्य–कर्णोपदेशः
Sūrya’s Counsel to Karṇa on Kīrti and the Kuṇḍala
इत्युक्त्वा सह सौमित्रिरुपस्पृश्याथ राघव: । प्रतिशिश्ये जलनिधिं विधिवत् कुशसंस्तरे,ऐसा कहकर लक्ष्मणसहित श्रीरामचन्द्रजीने आचमन करके समुद्रके तटपर कुशकी चटाई बिछाकर उसपर लेटकर विधिपूर्वक धरना दे दिया
ity uktvā saha saumitrir upaspṛśyātha rāghavaḥ | pratiśiśye jalanidhiṃ vidhivat kuśasaṃstare ||
Having spoken thus, Rāghava—together with Saumitrī—performed the prescribed purification by sipping water, and then, on the shore of the ocean, spread a mat of kuśa grass. Lying upon it in due ritual form, he undertook dharṇā: a disciplined vow of steadfast resolve.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when confronting a formidable obstacle, the righteous leader first adopts lawful, disciplined, and purified means—self-restraint, ritual propriety, and steadfast resolve—before resorting to force.
After speaking, Rāma, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa, performs ācamana for purification and then lies on a kuśa-grass mat by the ocean, undertaking a formal observance (dharṇā) to compel a response or passage in a dharmic manner.