Shloka 2.54.24

भरद्वाजाश्रमप्राप्तिः — Arrival at Bharadvāja’s Hermitage and Counsel toward Citrakūṭa

Devanagari script

भगवन्नित आसन्नः पौरजानपदो जनः।सुदर्शमिह मां प्रेक्ष्य मन्येऽहमिममाश्रमम्।।।।आगमिष्यति वैदेहीं मां चापि प्रेक्षको जनः।अनेन कारणेनाहमिह वासं न रोचये।।।।

Transliteration

bhagavan ita āsannaḥ paurajānapado janaḥ | sudarśam iha māṃ prekṣya manye ’ham imam āśramam || āgamiṣyati vaidehīṃ māṃ cāpi prekṣako janaḥ | anena kāraṇenāham iha vāsaṃ na rocaye ||

Translation

Venerable sir, I think the nearby townsfolk and villagers, seeing that I am easily visible here, will often come to this hermitage to behold Vaidehī (Sītā) and me as well. For this reason I do not wish to stay here.

Context

O venerable sage, I feel the people living in nearby villages and towns, perceiving that we can be easily seen here, will frequent this ashram. This is the reason I don't wish to stay here.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Bharadvāja
• Vaidehī (Sītā)
• āśrama
• paura-jānapada (townspeople and villagers)

FAQs

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

Dharma in exile includes restraint and non-display: Rāma avoids becoming an object of public attention that could disturb ascetic life and Sītā’s dignity.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma respectfully declines staying at Bharadvāja’s nearby hermitage area because the proximity to settlements would draw crowds to see him and Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s modesty and protective responsibility—prioritizing Sītā’s comfort and the discipline of forest-dwelling over convenience.