Shloka 3.10.22

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

Devanagari script

सदृशं चानुरूपं च कुलस्य तव चात्मनः।सधर्मचारिणी मे त्वं प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसी।।।।

Transliteration

tad avaśyaṁ mayā kāryam ṛṣīṇāṁ paripālanam |

anuktenāpi vaidehi pratijñāya tu kiṁ punaḥ ||

Translation

Therefore, O Vaidehi, I must surely carry out the protection of the sages—even had they not asked; how much more so when I have promised it.

Context

Your auspicious words are quite befitting your lineage. You are the follower of my dharma and so dearer to me than my life.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Sita (Vaidehi)
• sages (ṛṣi)

FAQs

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

Dharma can be intrinsic duty, not merely a response to request: the righteous should be protected as a matter of obligation; a vow only strengthens that obligation.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama argues that he was duty-bound to protect the sages regardless; since he has vowed, the duty becomes even more binding.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Proactive righteousness—Rama frames protection as a natural responsibility, not a favor.