Shloka 3.15.31

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

Devanagari script

कञ्चित्कालं स धर्मात्मा सीतया लक्ष्मणेन च।अन्वास्यमानो न्यवसत्स्वर्गलोके यथामरः।।।।

Transliteration

ramate yatra vaidehī tvam ahaṃ caiva lakṣmaṇa |

tādṛśo dṛśyatāṃ deśaḥ sannikṛṣṭa-jalāśayaḥ || 3.15.4 ||

vanarāmaṇyakaṃ yatra sthalarāmaṇyakaṃ tathā |

sannikṛṣṭaṃ ca yatra syāt samit-puṣpa-kuśodakam || 3.15.5 ||

Translation

O Lakṣmaṇa, find such a place—one that delights Vaidehī and also you and me—near a water-source; where the forest and the land are both charming, and where firewood for sacred use, flowers, kuśa-grass, and water are readily at hand.

Context

Righteous Rama, served by Lakshmana, and Sita lived there for some time like a god in heaven.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē araṇyakāṇḍē pañcadaśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the fifteenth sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Vaidehī (Sītā)
• jalāśaya (water-source)
• samit
• puṣpa
• kuśa
• udaka

FAQs

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

Dharma is expressed as disciplined living aligned with sacred duty: choosing a residence that supports daily rites and protects the wellbeing of the family unit in exile.

What is the narrative situation?

This verse reiterates the criteria Rāma gives Lakṣmaṇa for selecting a hermitage site in the forest.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s balanced judgment—uniting spiritual needs (samit, kuśa) with practical necessities (water) and emotional wellbeing (Sītā’s delight).