Shloka 3.8.16

सुतीक्ष्णाश्रमप्रस्थानम् (Departure from Sutikshna’s Hermitage)

Devanagari script

गम्यतां वत्स सौमित्रे भवानपि च गच्छतु।आगन्तव्यं च ते दृष्ट्वा पुनरेवाश्रमं मम।।।।

Transliteration

gamyatāṃ vatsa saumitre bhavān api ca gacchatu |

āgantavyaṃ ca te dṛṣṭvā punar evāśramaṃ mama ||

Translation

Go then, dear child—O Saumitra, you too may depart; and after seeing those places, return once more to my hermitage (āśrama).

Context

O dear Rama, O Lakshmana you may leave (now), you may have to come back to this hermitage after seeing those places.

Characters & Entities

• Sūtīkṣṇa
• Lakshmana (Saumitra)
• Rama
• Hermitage (āśrama)

FAQs

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

It reflects responsible guidance and continuing fellowship: dharma includes maintaining ties with the righteous and returning to one’s benefactors with gratitude and accountability.

What is the narrative situation?

Sūtīkṣṇa gives leave for their journey but requests that they return to his hermitage after visiting the nearby hermitage-sites.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sūtīkṣṇa’s caring oversight; the princes’ implied reliability in keeping a sage’s instruction.