Shloka 3.9.11

सीताया धर्मोपदेशः—शस्त्रसंयोगदोषकथा (Sita’s Counsel on Dharma and the Peril of Weapon-Association)

Devanagari script

एतन्निमित्तं च वनं दण्डका इति विश्रुतम्।।3.9.11।।प्रस्थितस्त्वं सह भ्रात्रा धृतबाणशरासनः।

Transliteration

etannimittaṃ ca vanaṃ daṇḍakā iti viśrutam ||3.9.11||

prasthitas tvaṃ saha bhrātrā dhṛtabāṇaśarāsanaḥ |

Translation

For this very reason the forest is famed as “Daṇḍaka”; and for this cause you set out there with your brother, bearing bow and arrows.

Context

It is only on account of this that you entered the well-known Dandaka forest with your brother wielding bow and arrows.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa (implied by 'brother')
• Daṇḍakāraṇya (Daṇḍaka forest)
• Bow and arrows

FAQs

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

Dharma is framed as purposeful action: entering the forest with weapons is justified only by the duty of protection and restraint in the use of force.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā links Rāma’s armed journey with Lakṣmaṇa into Daṇḍaka to the mission of curbing violent disruption in the forest.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s sense of responsibility—he undertakes hardship and danger to uphold order and protect the vulnerable.