Shloka 22
शरभङ्गाश्रमगमनम् तथा इन्द्रदर्शनम्
Approach to Sarabhanga’s Hermitage and the Vision of Indra
इहोपयात्यसौ रामो यावन्मां नाभिभाषते।निष्ठां नयतु तावत्तु ततो मा द्रष्टुमर्हति।।3.5.22।।जितवन्तं कृतार्थं हि तदाहमचिरादिमम्।कर्म ह्यनेन कर्तव्यं महदन्यैस्सुदुष्करम्।।3.5.23।।
ihopayāty asau rāmo yāvan māṃ nābhibhāṣate |
niṣṭhāṃ nayatu tāvat tu tato mā draṣṭum arhati || 3.5.22 ||
jitavantaṃ kṛtārthaṃ hi tadāham acirād imam |
karma hy anena kartavyaṃ mahad anyaiḥ suduṣkaram || 3.5.23 ||
«Rāma s’avance vers ici. Avant qu’il ne m’adresse la parole, conduis-moi en un lieu d’où il ne doit pas me voir. Ensuite, lorsqu’il aura bientôt accompli son dessein et se tiendra victorieux, je le verrai ; car une grande œuvre lui reste à accomplir, extrêmement difficile pour d’autres.»
Then Indra (husband of Sachi) having seen Rama coming towards him, approached Sarabhanga and said this to him privately:
FAQs
Dharma as purposeful restraint: Indra avoids direct contact so Rama’s larger duty is not diverted. The verse highlights that even true and powerful beings should act in ways that protect the righteous mission.
Indra privately tells Sarabhanga to move him out of Rama’s sight before Rama speaks to him, because Rama must first complete a great undertaking.
Indra’s strategic foresight and non-interference—supporting dharma by not obstructing Rama’s destined work.