Shloka 34
अम्बा–राम–भीष्म संवादः
Amba–Rama–Bhishma Dialogue on Vow and Refuge
न भयान्नाप्यनुक्रोशान्नार्थलो भान्न काम्यया । क्षात्रं धर्ममहं जह्यामिति मे व्रतमाहितम्
na bhayān nāpy anukrośān nārthalobhān na kāmyayā | kṣātraṃ dharmam ahaṃ jahyām iti me vratam āhitam ||
“பயத்தினாலும் அல்ல, இரக்கத்தினாலும் அல்ல, செல்வ ஆசையினாலும் அல்ல, எந்தக் காமனையினாலும் அல்ல—நான் க்ஷத்திரிய தர்மத்தைத் துறக்கமாட்டேன்; இதுவே நான் உறுதியாக எடுத்த விரதம்.”
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts steadfast adherence to kṣatriya-dharma: one should not abandon rightful duty due to fear, misplaced compassion, greed, or personal desire. Ethical firmness is framed as a vowed commitment rather than a situational choice.
Rāma declares his unwavering resolve: regardless of emotional pressure (fear or pity) or temptation (wealth or desire), he will not renounce the warrior’s code. The statement functions as a self-definition of character and a justification for acting according to kṣātra-dharma.