Valmiki Ramayana 2.49.16: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 49, Shloka 16
एकोनपञ्चाशः सर्गः (Sarga 49): Rāma’s Night Journey Beyond Kosala and the Charioteer Address
नात्यर्थमभिकाङ्क्षामि मृगयां सरयूवने ।
रतिर्ह्येषातुला लोके राजर्षिगणसम्मता ॥१६॥
nātyartham abhikāṅkṣāmi mṛgayāṁ sarayū-vane |
ratir hy eṣā ’tulā loke rājarṣi-gaṇa-sammatā ||16||
मुझे शिकार करने का इतना बड़ा शौक नहीं है, लेकिन सरयू के जंगल में थोड़ा घूमना अच्छा लगता है। यह काम राजियों में भी चलता है, लोग समझते हैं कि ठीक है।
In this world, hunting is a unique pleasure. It is regarded as a delightful sport forroyal sages. But I do not have a great longing for hunting in the forest on the bank of river Sarayu.
FAQs
Dharma is moderation: even where a practice is socially sanctioned for kṣatriyas and royal sages, Rama expresses restraint and does not cling to pleasure.
Rama reflects aloud that hunting is esteemed as a royal pastime, but he personally does not strongly crave it.
Self-control (dama)—a capacity to acknowledge pleasure without becoming attached to it.
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