Shloka 16
सीताया धर्मोपदेशः—शस्त्रसंयोगदोषकथा
Sita’s Counsel on Dharma and the Peril of Weapon-Association
क्षत्रियाणामपि धनुर्हुताशस्येन्धनानि च।।3.9.16।।समीपतस्स्थितं तेजो बलमुच्छ्रयते भृशम्।
kṣatriyāṇām api dhanur hutāśasyendhanāni ca ||3.9.16||
samīpatas sthitaṃ tejo balam ucchrayate bhṛśam |
たとえクシャトリヤであっても、弓は火にくべる薪のようなもの。手近にあれば、熱情と力を大いに燃え立たせます。
Of course, you will go to the forest with your brother, holding the bow and arrows. Release the arrows when you see the forest-rangers.
FAQs
Dharma emphasizes mastery over impulses: proximity to power (weapons) can inflame aggression, so a righteous person must practice restraint.
Sītā explains why weapons can be morally dangerous—like fuel feeding fire—setting up her warning against needless conflict.
The ideal of kṣatriya self-governance: true strength includes control, not merely the capacity to strike.