Shloka 2.109.29

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

Devanagari script

शतं क्रतूनामाहृत्य देवराट् त्रिदिवं गतः।तपांस्युग्राणि चास्थाय दिवं याता महर्षयः।।2.109.29।।

Transliteration

śataṃ kratūnām āhṛtya devarāṭ tridivaṃ gataḥ |

tapāṃsy ugrāṇi cāsthāya divaṃ yātā maharṣayaḥ || 2.109.29 ||

Translation

Having completed a hundred sacrifices, the king of the gods attained heaven; and great seers, undertaking severe austerities, likewise reached the heavenly world.

Context

After performing a hundred sacrifices, king of the gods (Indra) obtained (dominion over) heaven. Great sages attained heaven after resorting to intense mortifications.

Characters & Entities

• Indra (Devarāṭ)
• maharṣi (great sages)
• tridiva (heaven)

FAQs

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

The verse reinforces karma-phala: righteous sacrifice and disciplined austerity are presented as valid means to higher attainment, countering nihilism or denial of moral consequence.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma cites exemplars—Indra through sacrifice and sages through tapas—to support the traditional moral-religious framework against Jābāli’s irreligious reasoning.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respect for tradition and spiritual effort: Rāma upholds sacrifice and austerity as meaningful, purposeful disciplines.