Shloka 2.116.19
तपस्विनाम् औत्सुक्यं राक्षसत्रासश्च (Ascetics’ Anxiety and the Fear of Rakshasas)
तत्पुरा राम शारीरामुपहिंसां तपस्विषु।दर्शयन्ति हि दुष्टास्ते त्यक्ष्याम इममाश्रमम्।।2.116.19।।
tat purā rāma śārīrām upahiṁsāṁ tapasviṣu |
darśayanti hi duṣṭās te tyakṣyāma imam āśramam ||2.116.19||
O Rāma, those depraved beings, from the very outset, even inflict bodily violence upon ascetics; therefore we have resolved to abandon this hermitage.
O Rama, those vile creatures resort to physical violence against ascetics, we have therefore, resolved to quit this ashram.
Ahimsa and reverence for tapas are central; harming ascetics is presented as a grave breach of dharma that compels the community to seek safety to continue truth-centered practice.
The leader explains that the attackers have escalated from disruption to direct physical harm, prompting the decision to leave the āśrama.
Moral clarity and resolve: the sages choose a course that preserves their dharmic obligations rather than endure increasing violence.