Shloka 21

षष्ठस्सर्गः — तपस्विरक्षणे राजधर्मोपदेशः

Sarga 6: The Sages’ Appeal and Instruction on Royal Duty

Devanagari script

एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु काकुत्स्थस्तापसानां तपस्विनाम्।इदं प्रोवाच धर्मात्मा सर्वानेव तपस्विनः।।।।

Transliteration

etac chrutvā tu kākutsthas tāpasānāṃ tapasvinām | idaṃ provāca dharmātmā sarvān eva tapasvinaḥ ||

Translation

ഇതു കേട്ട കാകുത്സ്ഥവംശജനായ ധർമാത്മാവ് രാമൻ, തപസ്സിൽ നിരതരായ ആ എല്ലാ തപസ്വികളോടും ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞു.

Word by Word

एतत्this (statement)

श्रुत्वाhaving heard

तुthen/indeed

काकुत्स्थःRama (of Kakutstha line)

तापसानाम्of the ascetics

तपस्विनाम्of the penitents

इदम्this

प्रोवाचsaid

धर्मात्माthe righteous-souled one

सर्वान्all

एवindeed

तपस्विनःthe ascetics

Context

Having heard this, righteous Rama of the Kakutstha dynasty said to all the ascetics engaged in penance:

Characters & Entities

Rāma (Kākutstha)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is presented as Rāma’s defining identity (‘dharmātmā’): he listens to suffering and responds through principled speech and action.

What is the narrative situation?

This verse transitions from the sages’ plea to Rāma’s formal reply.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Attentiveness and responsibility: Rāma hears the complaint fully before answering.