Shloka 3.47.20

सीतारावणसंवादः — Ravana Reveals Himself; Sita Affirms Rama’s Dharma

Devanagari script

जटी तापसरूपेण मया सह सहानुजः।।3.47.20।।प्रविष्टो दण्डकारण्यं धर्मनित्यो जितेन्द्रियः।

Transliteration

jaṭī tāpasarūpeṇa mayā saha sahānujaḥ | praviṣṭo daṇḍakāraṇyaṃ dharmanityo jitendriyaḥ ||

Translation

Rāma—ever steadfast in dharma and master of his senses—entered the Daṇḍaka forest with matted hair, in the guise of an ascetic, together with his younger brother and with me.

Context

Rama who is ever righteous and self-controlled entered the Dandaka forest with matted locks, his brother and me.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Daṇḍakāraṇya (Dandaka forest)

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as steady moral discipline: Rāma’s righteousness is inseparable from self-control (jitendriya). Ethical life is shown as consistent conduct even in hardship (forest exile).

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā, speaking to a visitor who appears to be an ascetic (actually Rāvaṇa in disguise), describes how she came with Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa into the Daṇḍaka forest.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s virtue of self-mastery and unwavering commitment to dharma (dharma-nitya, jita-indriya).