Shloka 3.15.3

पञ्चवटी-निवासः (Settlement at Pañcavaṭī and Construction of the Hermitage)

Devanagari script

सर्वतश्चार्यतां दृष्टिः कानने निपुणोह्यसि।आश्रमः कतरस्मिन्नो देशे भवति सम्मतः।।।।

Transliteration

sarvataś cāryatāṃ dṛṣṭiḥ kānane nipuṇo hy asi |

āśramaḥ katarasmin no deśe bhavati sammataḥ || 3.15.3 ||

Translation

Let your gaze range everywhere in this forest; you are indeed skilled in judgment. In what place here would a hermitage be fitting for us?

Context

O Lakshmana! cast your eyes all around the forest for a suitable place (for building a hermitage). Indeed, you are good at judging things.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• kānana (forest)
• āśrama (hermitage)

FAQs

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

Prudent discernment (viveka) in dharma: choosing a proper place supports safety, discipline, and the ability to live righteously in exile.

What is the narrative situation?

Before building the hermitage, Rāma asks Lakṣmaṇa to survey the forest and identify a suitable location.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Lakṣmaṇa’s discernment and competence, and Rāma’s responsible leadership in planning a dharmic life in the wilderness.