Shloka 3.10.16

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

Devanagari script

तदर्ध्यमानान्रक्षोभिर्दण्डकारण्यवासिभिः।रक्ष नस्त्वं सह भ्रात्रा त्वन्नाथा हि वयं वने।।।।

Transliteration

tad ardhyamānān rakṣobhir daṇḍakāraṇyavāsibhiḥ | rakṣa nas tvaṃ saha bhrātrā tvannāthā hi vayaṃ vane ||

Translation

Therefore protect us, tormented by the rākṣasas who dwell in the Daṇḍaka forest. In this wilderness you are indeed our lord; protect us together with your brother.

Context

'The demons, dwelling in the Dandaka forest are tormenting us. You alone are our lord in the forest. Do protect us with your brother.'

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa (implied by “brother”)
• Daṇḍakāraṇya (Dandaka forest)
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Dharma as protective responsibility: those who seek refuge from adharma appeal to righteous power; the verse foregrounds the obligation of Rāma (and Lakṣmaṇa) to defend the vulnerable.

What is the narrative situation?

The sages conclude their plea, explicitly asking Rāma to guard them—together with his brother—against the forest-dwelling rākṣasas.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s (and Lakṣmaṇa’s) guardianship and readiness to uphold dharma through protection, answering the trust placed in them by the ascetics.