Shloka 2.108.6

जाबाल्युपदेशः — Jabali’s Pragmatic Counsel to Rama

Devanagari script

यथा ग्रामान्तरं गच्छन्नरः कश्चित्क्वचिद्वसेत्।उत्सृज्य च तमावासं प्रतिष्ठेतापरेऽहनि।।2.108.5।।एवमेव मनुष्याणां पिता माता गृहं वसु।अवासमात्रं काकुत्स्थ सज्जन्ते नात्र सज्जनाः।।2.108.6।।

Transliteration

satāṁ buddhiṁ puraskṛtya sarvalokanidarśinīm |

rājyaṁ tvaṁ pratigṛhṇīṣva bharatena prasāditaḥ ||

Translation

Honoring the judgment of the wise—an example set for all the world—accept the kingdom, being pleased by Bharata’s offer.

Context

A man who goes from one village to another takes rest somewhere on the way and the next day leaves the place and proceeds on his journey. Similarly, father, mother, home and wealth are restingplaces to a man. The wise do not get attached to them, O descendant the Kakutsthas

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Kingdom (rājya)
• The wise (sat)

FAQs

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

It frames dharma as alignment with the counsel of the wise and with public exemplarity (maryādā): the ruler’s choice becomes a model for society.

What is the narrative situation?

At the end of Sarga 108, Bharata urges Rāma to accept kingship, presenting it as the wise and socially exemplary course.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respect for wise counsel and commitment to public duty—acting in a way that guides the wider world.