Shloka 102
The Origin of the Daṇḍaka Forest and Rāma’s Dharma-Judgment
Vulture vs. Owl
यथाप्राप्तं न ब्रुवते सर्वे तेऽनृतवादिनः । न वक्ति च श्रुतं यश्च कामात्क्रोधात्तथा भयात्
yathāprāptaṃ na bruvate sarve te'nṛtavādinaḥ | na vakti ca śrutaṃ yaśca kāmātkrodhāttathā bhayāt
जशी गोष्ट आहे तशी न बोलणारे सर्व असत्यवादी होत; आणि जो काम, क्रोध किंवा भयामुळे ऐकलेलेही सांगत नाही, तोही असत्याचा भागी ठरतो.
Unspecified (narrative/ethical instruction within the chapter context)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यथा+प्राप्तम्→यथाप्राप्तम्; ते+अनृतवादिनः→तेऽनृतवादिनः; कामात्+क्रोधात्→कामात्क्रोधात्
FAQs
It teaches satya (truthfulness): one should speak things as they are and honestly report what one has heard; withholding truth due to desire, anger, or fear is treated as falsehood.
Yes. The verse frames not speaking what is known/heard—when motivated by desire, anger, or fear—as a form of anṛta (untruth), not merely neutral silence.
It advises truthful communication and integrity in testimony or reporting, avoiding distortion or suppression of facts for personal gain, retaliation, or intimidation.