Shloka 3.11.21

पञ्चाप्सरो-सरः कथनम् तथा अगस्त्याश्रममार्गनिर्देशः (Panchapsara Lake Account and Directions to Agastya)

Devanagari script

एवं कथयमानस्य ददर्शाश्रममण्डलम्।।।।कुशचीरपरिक्षिप्तं ब्राह्म्या लक्ष्म्या समावृतम्।

Transliteration

evaṃ kathayamānasya dadarśāśramamaṇḍalam |

kuśacīraparikṣiptaṃ brāhmyā lakṣmyā samāvṛtam ||

Translation

As he spoke thus, Rāma beheld the precincts of the hermitage, strewn with kuśa grass and bark-garments, pervaded by a serene brahminical radiance.

Context

When the sage Dharmabrata was telling the story, Rama saw a hermitage strewn all over with kusa grass and bark garments, and endowed with pure brahminic grace.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (implied as observer)
• āśrama (hermitage)
• kuśa (sacred grass)
• cīra (bark garments)
• brāhmī lakṣmī (brahminical sanctity/auspiciousness)

FAQs

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

Honoring sacred spaces and āśrama-dharma: the hermitage is portrayed as a locus of disciplined living, purity, and truth-oriented practice.

What is the narrative situation?

During the narration, Rāma comes within sight of the hermitage compound marked by ascetic symbols.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respect for spiritual discipline: recognizing and valuing the signs of tapas and brahminical sanctity.