Shloka 3.1.1

तापसाश्रममण्डलदर्शनम् (Entering Dandaka and Meeting the Sages)

Devanagari script

प्रविश्य तु महारण्यं दण्डकारण्यमात्मवान्।ददर्श रामो दुर्धर्षस्तापसाश्रममण्डलम्।।।।

Transliteration

praviśya tu mahāraṇyaṁ daṇḍakāraṇyam ātmavān |

dadarśa rāmo durdharṣas tāpasāśrama-maṇḍalam || 3.1.1 ||

Translation

Having entered the great wilderness of Daṇḍakāraṇya, the self-possessed and invincible Rāma beheld a wide expanse of ascetics’ hermitages.

Context

The invincible and self-possessed Rama entered the great forest of Dandaka and saw there a multitude of hermitages of the ascetics.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Daṇḍakāraṇya (Dandaka forest)
• mahāraṇya (great forest)
• tāpasāśrama (ascetics’ hermitages)

FAQs

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

Dharma as guardianship and restraint: Rama’s self-mastery and strength are directed toward entering a sacred ascetic landscape, where power serves protection rather than domination.

What is the narrative situation?

At the opening of Araṇyakāṇḍa, Rama enters Daṇḍakāraṇya and beholds many hermitages of ascetics.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Ātma-saṁyama (self-control) joined with courage—Rama is both self-possessed and invincible, fit to uphold dharma in a dangerous wilderness.