Shloka 1.10.3

ऋश्यशृङ्ग-आनयनम् (Bringing Ṛśyaśṛṅga to Aṅga and His Marriage to Śāntā)

Devanagari script

ऋश्यशृङ्गो वनचरस्तपस्स्वाध्ययने रत:।अनभिज्ञस्स नारीणां विषयाणां सुखस्य च।।।

Transliteration

śrutvā tu vacanaṃ tāsāṃ sarvāsāṃ hṛdayaṅgamam |

gamanāya matiṃ cakre taṃ ca ninyus tadā striyaḥ ||

Translation

Hearing the words of those women—so pleasing and persuasive—he resolved to go with them; and then the women led him away.

Context

"Rsyasringa, residing in the forest, is engrossed in the study of the Vedas. He is not acquainted with women and sensual pleasures.

Characters & Entities

• Ṛśyaśṛṅga
• women/courtesans (striyaḥ)

FAQs

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

It warns that dharma needs discernment (viveka): pleasing speech can divert even the pure-minded, so truth and clarity must guide decisions.

What is the narrative situation?

Ṛśyaśṛṅga, charmed by the women’s words, agrees to leave; they escort him toward the city/kingdom.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Ṛśyaśṛṅga’s simplicity and trust—virtues that also make him vulnerable to manipulation.