Shloka 2.109.26

सत्यधर्मप्रतिपादनम् (Rama’s Defense of Truth and Dharma in Reply to Jabali)

Devanagari script

वनवासं वसन्नेव शुचिर्नियतभोजनः।

मूलपुष्पफलैः पुण्यैः पित्रून् देवांश्च तर्पयन्।।2.109.26।।

सन्तुष्टपञ्चवर्गोऽहं लोकयात्रां प्रवर्तये।

अकुह श्श्रद्धधानस्सन्कार्याकार्यविचक्षणः।।2.109.27।।

Transliteration

vanavāsaṃ vasann eva śucir niyata-bhojanaḥ |

mūlaiḥ puṣpaiḥ phalaiḥ puṇyaiḥ pitṝn devāṃś ca tarpayan || 2.109.26 ||

Translation

Thus living the forest-exile—pure in conduct and restrained in food—I shall satisfy the ancestors and the gods with sacred offerings of roots, flowers, and fruits.

Context

I shall spend the term of my forest life with faith and holiness and purity of mind andwith regulated food and with ancestors and gods satisfied with offerings of roots, flowers and fruits, with my five senses contented and with a mind that discriminates between what ought to be done and what ought not to be done.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• pitṛ (ancestors)
• deva (gods)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as disciplined living (purity and regulated food) combined with gratitude and obligation—honouring ancestors and gods through simple, lawful offerings even while in hardship.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma is responding to Jābāli’s persuasive, nāstika-leaning counsel and reasserts that he will live in exile according to dharma, not abandoning ritual and moral duties.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-restraint and steadfastness: Rāma presents a life of moderation, purity, and faithful observance of duties despite exile.