Shloka 16
तपस्विनाम् औत्सुक्यं राक्षसत्रासश्च
Ascetics’ Anxiety and the Fear of Rakshasas
तेषु तेष्वाश्रमस्थानेष्वबुद्धमवलीय च।रमन्ते तापसां स्तत्र नाशयन्तोऽल्पचेतसः।।2.116.16।।
tēṣu tēṣv āśramasthānēṣv abuddham avalīya ca |
ramantē tāpasāṃs tatra nāśayanto 'lpacētasaḥ ||
ఆ స్వల్పచిత్తులు ఈదో ఆ ఆశ్రమస్థలంలో కనిపించకుండా దాగి, అక్కడ తపస్వులను నాశనం చేయడంలోనే ఆనందిస్తారు।
These debased rakshasas, concealing themselves in various ashram sites takedelight in harassing and killing the ascetics.
FAQs
Dharma defends sacred spaces—turning hermitages into hunting grounds is shown as grave adharma that calls for restoration of safety and order.
The ascetics describe the rākṣasas’ stealth: they conceal themselves around hermitages and destroy ascetics for sport.
Commitment to the sanctity of tapas—by reporting these acts, the ascetics seek dharmic protection for spiritual practice.