Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 49, Shloka 16
एकोनपञ्चाशः सर्गः (Sarga 49): Rāma’s Night Journey Beyond Kosala and the Charioteer Address
नात्यर्थमभिकाङ्क्षामि मृगयां सरयूवने।रतिर्ह्येषातुला लोके राजर्षिगणसम्मता।।।।
nātyartham abhikāṅkṣāmi mṛgayāṁ sarayū-vane | ratir hy eṣā ’tulā loke rājarṣi-gaṇa-sammatā ||
नात्यर्थमभिकाङ्क्षामि मृगयां सरयूवने। रतिर्ह्येषातुला लोके राजर्षिगणसम्मता॥
The descendant of Ikshvaku related to the charioteer in a sweet voice the thoughts that came to him and went on the way (continued his journey).ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē ēkōnapañcāśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the fortyninth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
FAQs
Dharma is moderation: even where a practice is socially sanctioned for kṣatriyas and royal sages, Rama expresses restraint and does not cling to pleasure.
Rama reflects aloud that hunting is esteemed as a royal pastime, but he personally does not strongly crave it.
Self-control (dama)—a capacity to acknowledge pleasure without becoming attached to it.