Shloka 22
हेमन्तवर्णनम् तथा भरतधर्मनिष्ठा-चिन्तनम्
Winter Description and Reflection on Bharata’s Devotion
एते हि समुपासीना विहगा जलचारिणः।नावगाहन्ति सलिलमप्रगल्भा इवाहवम्।।।।
ete hi samupāsīnā vihagā jalacāriṇaḥ |
nāvagāhanti salilam apragalbhā ivāhavam ||
These water-birds, though gathered close by, do not plunge into the water—like timid warriors who do not enter the battlefield.
Just as inefficient warriors do not enter the warfield, aquatic birds sitting near water do not venture to take a plunge into it.
FAQs
It underscores courage as a dharmic necessity in one’s rightful duty: merely staying near the duty-field is not enough; one must enter and act when the moment calls.
Rama continues describing winter: even aquatic birds hesitate to enter the cold water, which he likens to hesitant fighters avoiding battle.
Valor and readiness—especially associated with kṣatriya-dharma (the duty to face challenges directly).