Shloka 2.87.15

गुहसंवादः—रामस्य रात्रिवासवर्णनम् (Dialogue with Guha: Account of Rama’s Night Halt)

Devanagari script

तत्सर्वं प्रत्यनुज्ञासीद्राम स्सत्यपराक्रमः।न तु तत्प्रत्यगृह्णात्स क्षत्रधर्ममनुस्मरन्।।।।

Transliteration

tat sarvaṃ pratyanujñāsīd rāmaḥ satyaparākramaḥ |

na tu tat pratyagṛhṇāt sa kṣatradharmam anusmaran ||

Translation

Rāma—whose true strength is steadfast truth—graciously acknowledged all of it; yet, remembering the dharma of a kṣatriya, he did not accept the offering.

Context

Rama whose prowess is his truth, acknowledged all that but remembering the duty enjoined on a kshatriya did not accept them.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• kṣatradharma

FAQs

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

Self-restraint aligned with svadharma: Rāma honors the giver but maintains the discipline expected of a kṣatriya living by principled austerity.

What is the narrative situation?

After Guha offers abundant food, Rāma responds courteously but refuses to receive it.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s satya (truthfulness) and maryādā (propriety) expressed as disciplined refusal without disrespect.