ब्रह्मण्यो भव धर्मात्मा मा च स्मैवं पुनः कृथा: । “राजन्! शरण चाहनेवालोंको शरण देनेवाले भगवान् नरने उनसे कहा--“आजसे तुम ब्राह्मणहितैषी और धर्मात्मा बनो। फिर कभी ऐसा साहस न करना
brahmaṇyo bhava dharmātmā mā ca smaivaṁ punaḥ kṛthāḥ |
शरणागतांना आश्रय देणाऱ्या भगवान् नराने सांगितले—“आजपासून तू ब्राह्मणहितैषी व धर्मात्मा हो; पुन्हा कधी असे धाडस करू नकोस।”
राम उवाच
The verse teaches that ethical authority rests on dharma: one should become brahmaṇya (a supporter and protector of Brahmins and sacred law) and dharmātmā (inwardly righteous), and must not repeat wrongful conduct. Power is to be governed by restraint and reverence for the moral-religious order.
A senior figure (Rāma) issues a direct admonition to another person, commanding a reform of character—aligning oneself with dharma and ceasing a previously committed offense—framing the correction in terms of responsibility toward Brahmins and righteous conduct.