Shloka 3.13.22

पञ्चवटी-निर्देशः (Agastya Directs Rama to Panchavati)

Devanagari script

भवानपि सदारश्च शक्तश्च परिरक्षणे।अपि चात्र वसन्राम तापसान्पालयिष्यसि।।।।

Transliteration

bhavān api sadāraś ca śaktaś ca parirakṣaṇe | api cātra vasan rāma tāpasān pālayiṣyasi ||

Translation

And you too, accompanied by your wife, are capable of protection; living there, O Rāma, you will also safeguard the ascetics.

Context

O Rama, while staying with your wife, you will look after the ascetics living there sinceyou are capable of giving protection.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sītā
• tāpasas (ascetics)

FAQs

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

Kṣātra-dharma: the righteous duty of a protector-king is to defend the innocent—especially ascetics devoted to spiritual discipline.

What is the narrative situation?

Agastya links Rāma’s residence in the forest to a purpose beyond survival: protecting the sages who live there.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s protective strength guided by righteousness—power used as service to dharma, not for domination.