Shloka 3.8.8

सुतीक्ष्णाश्रमप्रस्थानम् (Departure from Sutikshna’s Hermitage)

Devanagari script

अविषह्यातपो यावत्सूर्यो नातिविराजते।अमार्गेणागतां लक्ष्मीं प्राप्येवान्वयवर्जितः।।।।तावदिच्छामहे गन्तुमित्युक्त्वा चरणौ मुनेः।ववन्दे सहसौमित्रिस्सीतया सह राघवः।। ।।

Transliteration

aviṣahyātapo yāvat sūryo nātivirājate |

amārgeṇāgatāṃ lakṣmīṃ prāpyevānvayavarjitaḥ ||

tāvad icchāmahe gantum ity uktvā caraṇau muneḥ |

vavande saha saumitriḥ sītayā saha rāghavaḥ ||

Translation

“So long as the sun has not yet begun to blaze with unbearable heat—like a man of ignoble lineage who, having gained prosperity by unlawful means, grows insolent—so long do we wish to proceed.” Having spoken thus, Rāghava (Rāma), together with Sītā and Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa), bowed in reverence at the sage’s feet.

Context

We wish to depart before the Sun grows unbearably hot like the man devoid of good lineage who acquires wealth through un-lawful means (becomes arrogant). Thereafter Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana offered worship at the feet of the venerable sage.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Sita
• Lakshmana (Saumitri)
• Surya (Sun)
• Muni (Sage)
• Lakshmi (prosperity)

FAQs

What dharma teaching is conveyed by comparing unlawful wealth to the sun’s unbearable heat?

The verse warns that prosperity gained through adharma (amārga) leads to moral distortion—pride and loss of restraint—just as the sun’s heat becomes intolerable; true well-being must align with righteous means.

How do Rama’s actions here reflect satya and dharma?

Rama speaks plainly about the need to depart at the right time (satya) and then bows at the sage’s feet, showing humility, respect for spiritual authority, and adherence to maryādā (proper conduct).