Shloka 2.54.25

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

Devanagari script

भगवन्नित आसन्नः पौरजानपदो जनः।सुदर्शमिह मां प्रेक्ष्य मन्येऽहमिममाश्रमम्।।2.54.24।।आगमिष्यति वैदेहीं मां चापि प्रेक्षको जनः।अनेन कारणेनाहमिह वासं न रोचये।।2.54.25।।

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 townspeople and villagers, seeing that I am easily visible here, will keep coming to this hermitage to look upon Vaidehī (Sītā) and me. Therefore I do not wish to reside 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?

The dharmic principle is avoidance of unnecessary social disturbance and protection of dignity—choosing seclusion to uphold the aims of exile.

What is the narrative situation?

This verse reiterates Rāma’s reason for not staying near Bharadvāja’s settlement-adjacent region: it would attract crowds.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s discretion (viveka) and self-restraint, aligning personal conduct with the vows and expectations of forest life.