Shloka 3.9.19

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

Devanagari script

तस्मिंस्तदाश्रमपदे निशितः खङ्ग उत्तमः।।3.9.19।।स न्यासविधिना दत्तः पुण्ये तपसि तिष्ठतः।

Transliteration

tasmiṃs tadāśramapade niśitaḥ khaṅga uttamaḥ | sa nyāsavidhinā dattaḥ puṇye tapasi tiṣṭhataḥ ||

Translation

At that hermitage-site, while the sage remained established in holy austerity, that finest keen-edged sword was entrusted, by the rite of nyāsa, as a sacred deposit.

Context

Then while the sage was practising penance at the hermitage, he gave him that excellent sword to be kept in trust.

Characters & Entities

• āśrama (hermitage)
• khaṅga (sword)
• nyāsa (deposit/trust)
• tapas (austerity)

FAQs

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

The verse foregrounds nyāsa-dharma—ethical custody of what is entrusted—set within tapas. Even sacred practice (tapas) is shown alongside responsibility for entrusted objects.

What is the narrative situation?

A past incident is being introduced: an excellent sword is deposited as a trust at/through a hermitage context, forming the basis for a later moral warning about weapons.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Trustworthiness (nyāsa-rakṣaṇa) and conscientious guardianship—handling entrusted property with integrity.