Shloka 22
सीताया धर्मोपदेशः—शस्त्रसंयोगदोषकथा
Sita’s Counsel on Dharma and the Peril of Weapon-Association
नित्यं शस्त्रं परिवहन्क्रमेण स तपोधनः।।3.9.22।।चकार रौद्रीं स्वां बुद्धिं त्यक्त्वा तपसि निश्चयम्।
nityaṃ śastraṃ parivahan krameṇa sa tapodhanaḥ | cakāra raudrīṃ svāṃ buddhiṃ tyaktvā tapasi niścayam ||
నిత్యము ఆయుధమును మోసుచుండగా, ఆ తపోధనుడు క్రమేణ తపస్సులోని నిశ్చయమును విడిచి తన బుద్ధిని రౌద్రముగా చేసుకొనెను।
While the sage moved about holding the weapon, he gave up the practice of penance gradually and developed a violent mindset.
FAQs
External instruments (weapons) can reshape inner disposition; dharma requires guarding the mind so that duty does not degenerate into violence.
The story turns: continuous weapon-carrying leads the sage away from ascetic practice toward a harsh mentality.
Steadfastness in tapas is contrasted with its loss—highlighting the virtue of mental discipline.