Shloka 1.23.6

कामाश्रम-प्रवेशः / Entry into Kāma’s Hermitage at the Sarayū–Gaṅgā Confluence

Devanagari script

तत्राश्रमपदं पुण्यमृषीणामग्य्रतेजसाम् ।बहुवर्षसहस्राणि तप्यतां परमं तप:।।।।

Transliteration

tayoḥ tadvacanaṃ śrutvā prahasya munipuṅgavaḥ |

abravīc chrūyatāṃ rāma yasyāyaṃ pūrva āśramaḥ ||

Translation

Hearing their words, the foremost of sages smiled gently and said, “Listen, Rāma—this is the hermitage that once belonged to him in former times.”

Context

There they saw a sacred hermitage of anchorites of great vitality performing severe austerities for thousands of years.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Rāma
• Āśrama (hermitage)

FAQs

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

Dharma is the careful transmission of truth: a teacher responds to sincere inquiry by opening a lineage of memory and meaning (itihāsa) for the student.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra begins explaining the earlier ownership/history of the hermitage after the princes ask about it.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Teacherly compassion and clarity—answering with calm warmth (gentle smile) and readiness to instruct.