Shloka 158
The Origin of the Daṇḍaka Forest and Rāma’s Dharma-Judgment
Vulture vs. Owl
तस्माद्भवंतौ संचिंत्य कार्येस्मिन्वदतं हि तत् । भरत उवाच । त्वं धर्मः परमः साधो त्वयि सर्वा वसुंधरा
tasmādbhavaṃtau saṃciṃtya kāryesminvadataṃ hi tat | bharata uvāca | tvaṃ dharmaḥ paramaḥ sādho tvayi sarvā vasuṃdharā
Portanto, vós dois deveis ponderar sobre este assunto e então dizer o que deve ser feito. Bharata disse: «Ó santo, tu és o Dharma supremo; em ti repousa toda a terra».
Bharata (explicitly marked: ‘bharata uvāca’)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्माद्भवंतौ = तस्मात् + भवन्तौ; कार्येस्मिन् = कार्ये + अस्मिन्; वदतं = वदतम् (लोट् मध्यम द्वि); वसुंधरा = वसुन्धरा (अनुस्वार-रूपान्तर)
FAQs
Bharata is speaking, indicated directly by the phrase “bharata uvāca” (“Bharata said”).
It presents Dharma as the highest principle and portrays the stability of the world (the earth) as grounded in Dharma—suggesting that ethical order sustains creation.
The verse recommends deliberation before counsel or action—wisdom and responsibility in decision-making, especially in matters affecting others.