Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 32, Shloka 34
द्वात्रिंशस्सर्गः
Gifts to Suyajna and the Brahmins; Trijata’s Petition and Rama’s Charity
स राजपुत्रमासाद्य त्रिजटो वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।।।निर्धनो बहुपुत्रोऽस्मि राजपुत्र महायशः।उञ्छवृत्तिर्वने नित्यं प्रत्यवेक्षस्व मामिति।।।।
sa rājaputram āsādya trijaṭo vākyam abravīt || nirdhano bahuputro ’smi rājaputra mahāyaśaḥ | uñchavṛttir vane nityaṁ pratyavekṣasva mām iti ||
S’approchant du prince, Trijaṭa dit : «Ô prince à la grande renommée, je suis pauvre et chargé de nombreux enfants. Dans la forêt, je vis chaque jour en glanant les grains tombés ; daigne me regarder avec bienveillance.»
Trijata approached Rama and said O illustrious prince! I am a destitute and have many children. I am living in the forest by collecting left-over grains. Look at me.
FAQs
Truthful, humble speech (satya with vinaya) is presented as the proper way to seek aid; it also invokes the dharma of rulers to notice and protect the vulnerable.
Trijaṭa reaches Rama and openly explains his poverty and dependents, asking Rama to attend to his plight.
Trijaṭa’s satya (honest disclosure) and humility; implicitly, Rama’s expected compassion and kingly duty.