Shloka 3.10.18

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

Devanagari script

संश्रुत्य च न शक्ष्यामि जीवमानः प्रतिश्रवम्।मुनीनामन्यथा कर्तुं सत्यमिष्टं हि मे सदा।।।।

Transliteration

kintu vakṣyāmy ahaṁ devi tvayaivoktam idaṁ vacaḥ |

kṣatriyair dhāryate cāpo nārtaśabdo bhaved iti ||

Translation

Yet, O Devi, I will say this: you yourself have spoken these words—when a kṣatriya bears the bow, there should be no cry of distress.

Context

Having promised the sages, I cannot do otherwise as long as I have life in me. To me truth is always dear.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Sita
• kṣatriya
• bow (cāpa)

FAQs

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

Kṣatriya-dharma: power (the bow) is justified as a duty to prevent suffering and protect the vulnerable, so that cries of distress do not arise.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama responds to Sita’s earlier remarks and frames his weapon-bearing as a protective duty aligned with dharma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s sense of responsibility—he interprets strength as service, not dominance.