Shloka 2.116.8

तपस्विनाम् औत्सुक्यं राक्षसत्रासश्च (Ascetics’ Anxiety and the Fear of Rakshasas)

Devanagari script

अथर्षिर्जरया वृद्धस्तपसा च जरां गतः।वेपमान इवोवाच रामं भूतदयापरम्।।2.116.8।।

Transliteration

kutaḥ kalyāṇasattvāyāḥ kalyāṇābhirates tathā | calanaṃ tāta vaidehyās tapasviṣu viśeṣataḥ || 2.116.9 ||

Translation

“Dear child, how could there be any lapse on Vaidehī’s part—she whose nature is noble and who delights in what is auspicious—especially in her conduct toward ascetics?”

Context

Hearing those words, an ascetic old in age and austerities, as though trembling said to Rama who is compassionate to all beings:

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Vaidehī (Sītā)
• tapasvins (ascetics)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes fairness in judgment: the sage rejects baseless suspicion and upholds truth by affirming Sītā’s established virtuous character, especially in relation to holy persons.

What is the narrative situation?

The elder sage responds to Rāma’s worries, asserting that Sītā is inherently virtuous and unlikely to offend ascetics.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s kalyāṇa-śīla (auspicious, virtuous disposition) and reverence toward tapasvins.