Shloka 3.9.23

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

Devanagari script

ततस्सरौद्रेऽभिरतः प्रमत्तोऽधर्मकर्शितः।।3.9.23।।तस्य शस्त्रस्य संवासाज्जगाम नरकं मुनिः।

Transliteration

tatas sa raudre ’bhirataḥ pramatto ’dharmakarśitaḥ | tasya śastrasya saṃvāsāj jagāma narakaṃ muniḥ ||

Translation

Then, delighting in violence, heedless and pulled along by unrighteousness, the sage—through dwelling in association with that weapon—went to hell.

Context

By association with the sword, he developed a violent attitude. And in that habitual state of excitement he was dragged into unrighteous ways which (ultimately) took him to hell.

Characters & Entities

• śastra (weapon)
• muni (sage)
• naraka (hell)

FAQs

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

The verse teaches moral causality: sustained intimacy with violence can cultivate adharma, leading to spiritual ruin.

What is the narrative situation?

The exemplum reaches its grim outcome: the sage’s violent habituation culminates in downfall.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Non-violence and vigilance of mind are implied virtues—showing what happens when they are lost.