Shloka 3.6.21

षष्ठस्सर्गः — तपस्विरक्षणे राजधर्मोपदेशः (Sarga 6: The Sages’ Appeal and Instruction on Royal Duty)

Devanagari script

एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु काकुत्स्थस्तापसानां तपस्विनाम्।इदं प्रोवाच धर्मात्मा सर्वानेव तपस्विनः।।।।

Transliteration

etac chrutvā tu kākutsthas tāpasānāṃ tapasvinām | idaṃ provāca dharmātmā sarvān eva tapasvinaḥ ||

Translation

Hearing this, Rāma of the Kakutstha line—righteous-souled—spoke these words to all those ascetics devoted to tapas.

Context

Having heard this, righteous Rama of the Kakutstha dynasty said to all the ascetics engaged in penance:

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (Kākutstha)
• Tapasvins/ascetics

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as Rāma’s defining identity (‘dharmātmā’): he listens to suffering and responds through principled speech and action.

What is the narrative situation?

This verse transitions from the sages’ plea to Rāma’s formal reply.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Attentiveness and responsibility: Rāma hears the complaint fully before answering.