Shloka 2.119.4

अनसूयाप्रीतिदानम् — Anasūyā’s Blessing and the Forest Path

Devanagari script

रविरस्तङ्गतश्श्रीमानुपोह्य रजनीं शिवाम्।।2.119.3।।दिवसं प्रतिकीर्णानामाहारार्थं पतत्रिणाम्।सन्ध्याकाले निलीनानां निद्रार्थं श्रूयते ध्वनिः।।2.119.4।।

Transliteration

ucchiṣṭaṃ vā pramattaṃ vā tāpasaṃ dharmacāriṇam |

adanty asmin mahāraṇye tān nivāraya rāghava ||

Translation

If an ascetic who walks in dharma is found defiled by leftover food, or careless and unguarded, then in this great forest the rākṣasas devour him. O Rāghava, restrain them and prevent this.

Context

The resplendent Sun has set. The auspcious night is drawing near. The birds who forage far and wide for food during the day return to their nests to rest for the night. You can hear them twittering.

Characters & Entities

• Rāghava (Rama)
• Mahāraṇya (great forest)
• Tāpasa (ascetic)
• Dharma-cārin (dharma practitioner)
• Rākṣasas (implied by context)

FAQs

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

Dharma emphasizes protection of dharma-practitioners: a ruler/warrior must safeguard even the vulnerable or imperfect, not only the vigilant and strong.

What is the narrative situation?

Ascetics petition Rama to stop rākṣasas who prey on hermits when they are inattentive or ritually compromised.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s expected virtue is rakṣaṇa (protective guardianship): the kṣatriya obligation to defend ascetics and uphold righteous order.