Shloka 13
पम्पा-ऋष्यमूक-मार्गोपदेशः
Guidance to Pampa and Rishyamuka; counsel to befriend Sugriva
नोद्विजन्ते नरान्दृष्ट्वा वधस्याकोविदाश्शुभाः।।3.73.13।।घृतपिण्डोपमान् स्थूलांस्तान्द्विजान्भक्षयिष्यथः।
nodvijante narān dṛṣṭvā vadhasyākovidāḥ śubhāḥ |
ghṛtapiṇḍopamān sthūlāṃs tān dvijān bhakṣayiṣyathaḥ || 3.73.13 ||
नरान् दृष्ट्वा शुभा द्विजा वधस्य अकोविदाः सन्तो नोद्विजन्ते; तौ च घृतपिण्डोपमान् स्थूलान् तान् द्विजान् भक्षयिष्यथः।
Not knowing that they may be killed, the innocent creatures will not be scared of human beings. Both of you can kill and eat the fat birds comparable to balls of ghee.
FAQs
Dharma here reflects the pragmatic ethics of forest-dwelling: taking food as needed for sustaining a righteous mission, without indulgence—survival in hardship is integrated into duty.
Kabandha describes the ease of obtaining food near Pampā, anticipating the brothers’ continued travel and exertion in the search for Sītā.
Moderation and purposefulness: nourishment is presented as a means to continue dharmic action, not as an end in itself.