Shloka 50
अम्बा–राम–भीष्म संवादः
Amba–Rama–Bhishma Dialogue on Vow and Refuge
गुरुं न हन्यां समरे ब्राह्मणं च विशेषत: । विशेषतस्तपोवृद्धमेवं क्षान्तं मया तव
guruṁ na hanyāṁ samare brāhmaṇaṁ ca viśeṣataḥ | viśeṣatas tapovṛddham evaṁ kṣāntaṁ mayā tava ||
Aku tidak akan membunuh guruku di medan perang—terlebih lagi seorang brāhmaṇa. Apalagi engkau telah menjadi agung karena tapa. Dengan pikiran itulah aku selama ini menahan kerasnya perlakuanmu dalam diam.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic restraint in violence: even in warfare, one must recognize moral boundaries—here, the inviolability of one’s guru and the special sanctity accorded to a brāhmaṇa, particularly one advanced in tapas. It also elevates kṣānti (forbearance) as an ethical response to provocation.
Rāma explains why he has not retaliated against his opponent’s harsh behavior: the opponent is his guru and a brāhmaṇa, renowned for austerity. Because of this relationship and status, Rāma considers killing him in battle improper and therefore has silently endured the mistreatment.