Shloka 3.11.87

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

Devanagari script

एष लोकार्चितस्साधुर्हिते नित्यरतस्सताम्।अस्मानभिगतानेष श्रेयसा योजयिष्यति।।।।

Transliteration

eṣa lokārcitaḥ sādhur hite nityarataḥ satām | asmān abhigatān eṣa śreyasā yojayiṣyati ||

Translation

This sage, honoured by the whole world and ever devoted to the welfare of the virtuous, will surely guide us—who have come to him—toward what is truly beneficial.

Context

We are going to join this sage honoured by the people of the world and ever engaged in the welfare of the virtuous. This augurs well for us.

Characters & Entities

• Agastya (implied as ‘this sage’)
• sat (the virtuous/good people)

FAQs

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

Seeking śreyas (true welfare) through association with the righteous: Dharma is strengthened by approaching a saint who lives for the good of the virtuous.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama and Lakshmana are nearing Agastya’s region/hermitage; Rama expresses confidence that the revered sage will guide them toward what is beneficial during exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence and discernment (viveka): Rama values guidance from a lokārcita sādhū and prioritizes higher good (śreyas) over mere convenience.