Shloka 12
पञ्चवटी-निर्देशः
Agastya Directs Rama to Panchavati
ततोऽब्रवीन्मुनिश्रेष्ठश्श्रुत्वा रामस्य तद्वचः।ध्यात्वा मुहूर्तं धर्मात्मा धीरो धीरतरं वचः।।।।
tato ’bravīn muniśreṣṭhaḥ śrutvā rāmasya tad-vacaḥ | dhyātvā muhūrtaṃ dharmātmā dhīro dhīrataraṃ vacaḥ ||
तद्वाक्यं रामस्य निशम्य मुनिश्रेष्ठो धर्मात्मा धीरः। मुहूर्तं ध्यात्वा धीरतरं गुरुतरं च वचनमब्रवीत्॥
On hearing the words of Rama, Agastya, the best among the sages, cool-headed and righteous, thought a while and uttered these words coolly :
FAQs
Deliberation before speech: dharma values thoughtful counsel—truth and benefit delivered with composure.
Agastya hears Rāma’s request for a dwelling-place, pauses to consider, and begins his reply.
Wisdom and self-control (dhairya): Agastya models measured judgment rather than impulsive response.