Shloka 3.9.14

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

Devanagari script

त्वां चैव प्रस्थितं दृष्ट्वा राम चिन्ताकुलं मनः।।3.9.13।।सर्वतचशिन्तय्नत्या मे तव निश्श्रेयसं नृप।न हि मे रोचते वीर गमनं दण्डकान्प्रति।।3.9.14।।कारणं तत्र वक्ष्यामि वदन्त्याश्श्रूयतां मम।

Transliteration

tvaṃ hi bāṇadhanuṣpāṇir bhrātrā saha vanaṃ gataḥ ||3.9.15||

dṛṣṭvā vanacarān sarvān kaccit kuryāḥ śaravyayam |

Translation

For you go into the forest with your brother, holding bow and arrows; on seeing all the forest-dwellers, might you then resort to the spending of arrows—shooting them forth?

Context

O brave Rama, I do not like your going to Dandaka forest. I shall tell you the reason. Do listen.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa (implied by 'brother')
• Forest-dwellers (vanacara)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires discrimination in the use of force: carrying weapons must not lead to harming those who are not legitimate threats.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā raises a concern that armed entry into the forest could provoke unnecessary violence against ‘forest-dwellers’ broadly understood.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s prudence and compassion—she anticipates moral risk and urges restraint before harm occurs.