Shloka 21
अम्बा–राम–भीष्म संवादः
Amba–Rama–Bhishma Dialogue on Vow and Refuge
ततस्ते तामुषित्वा तु रजनीं तत्र तापसा: । हुताग्नयो जप्तजप्या: प्रतस्थुर्मज्जिघांसया,तत्पश्चात् रातभर वहीं रहकर प्रातःकाल संध्योपासन, गायत्री-जप और अमन्निहोत्र करके वे तपस्वी मुनि मेरा वध करनेकी इच्छासे उस आश्रमसे चले
tatas te tām uṣitvā tu rajanīṁ tatra tāpasāḥ | hutāgnayo japtajapyāḥ pratasthur majjighāṁsayā ||
Kemudian para pertapa itu bermalam di sana; setelah menyalakan api suci, melaksanakan agnihotra, dan menuntaskan japa yang ditetapkan, mereka berangkat saat fajar dari pertapaan itu dengan niat membunuhku.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that ritual purity (fire-offerings, japa) does not automatically guarantee moral purity; ethical evaluation in dharma depends crucially on intention (bhāva). Hostile intent can corrupt actions that appear outwardly pious.
After staying the night at the hermitage, the ascetics complete their morning rites—tending the sacred fire and reciting mantras—and then depart with the purpose of killing the speaker, Rama.