Shloka 3.10.14

दशमः सर्गः — Rama’s Vow to Protect the Sages of Daṇḍaka (Dharma of Refuge)

Devanagari script

कामं तपःप्रभावेन शक्ता हन्तुं निशाचरान्।चिरार्जितं तु नेच्छामस्तपः खण्डयितुं वयम्।।3.10.14।।

Transliteration

kāmaṃ tapaḥprabhāvena śaktā hantuṃ niśācarān | cirārjitaṃ tu necchāmas tapaḥ khaṇḍayituṃ vayam ||

Translation

“Indeed, by the power of our austerities we are able to slay the night-roamers; yet we do not wish to shatter the penance we have accumulated over long years.”

Characters & Entities

• Niśācaras (rākṣasas/demons)
• Tapas (austerity/penance)
• Rāma (implied addressee)

FAQs

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

Dharma as role-appropriate restraint: ascetics may possess power, but they preserve tapas and spiritual aims rather than employing destructive force; protection is sought through kṣatriya duty.

What is the narrative situation?

The sages explain why they do not simply destroy the rākṣasas themselves: they avoid actions that would disrupt or diminish their long-earned austerity.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-restraint and commitment to spiritual discipline—choosing preservation of tapas over immediate retaliation.