Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 116, Shloka 3
तपस्विनाम् औत्सुक्यं राक्षसत्रासश्च
Ascetics’ Anxiety and the Fear of Rakshasas
नयनैर्ब्रुकुटीभिश्च रामं निर्दिश्य शङ्किताः।अन्योन्यमुपजल्पन्त श्शनैश्चक्रुर्मिथः कथाः।।2.116.3।।
nayanair bhru-kuṭībhiś ca rāmaṃ nirdiśya śaṅkitāḥ | anyonyam upajalpanta śanaiś cakrur mithaḥ kathāḥ || 2.116.3 ||
ਤਪੱਸਵੀ ਰਾਮ ਵੱਲ ਸ਼ੱਕੀ ਨਿਗਾਹਾਂ ਪਾ ਕੇ ਤੇ ਭੌਂਹਾਂ ਚੜ੍ਹਾ ਕੇ, ਹੌਲੀ ਹੌਲੀ ਆਪਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਗੁਪਤ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਇਕ ਦੂਜੇ ਨਾਲ ਰਾਜ਼ੀ ਬਾਤਾਂ ਸਾਂਝੀਆਂ ਕਰਨ ਲੱਗੇ।
Lord Rama, did not leave that hermitage deserted by the sages even for a moment. Those who had adopted the traditions of the sages and had acquired many virtues followed Rama.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē ṣōḍaśōttaraśatatamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the hundredsixteenth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
FAQs
The verse highlights communal vigilance in an āśrama: ascetics protect dharma by observing conduct closely and discussing concerns discreetly before making accusations.
In a hermitage setting, the sages notice something that makes them uneasy; they look at Rāma with suspicion and whisper among themselves.
The ascetics’ concern for āśrama-dharma and propriety—guarding the sanctity of the hermitage through careful observation.