Shloka 13

दशमः सर्गः — Rama’s Vow to Protect the Sages of Daṇḍaka

Dharma of Refuge

Devanagari script

राक्षसैर्धर्षितानां च तापसानां तपस्विनाम्।गतिं मृगयमाणानां भवान्नः परमा गतिः।।।।

Transliteration

rākṣasair dharṣitānāṃ ca tāpasānāṃ tapasvinām | gatiṃ mṛgayamāṇānāṃ bhavān naḥ paramā gatiḥ ||

Translation

“สำหรับพวกเราฤๅษีผู้บำเพ็ญตบะ ที่ถูกรากษสคุกคาม—ไร้ที่พึ่งและแสวงหาที่พำนัก—พระองค์ทรงเป็นที่พึ่งสูงสุดของพวกเรา”

Word by Word

• राक्षसैः: by demons
• राक्षसैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• धर्षितानाम्: of the harassed/oppressed
• धर्षितानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्ष् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle) 'धर्षित', षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (तापसानाम्)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• तापसानाम्: of ascetics
• तापसानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तापस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• तपस्विनाम्: of the penitent sages
• तपस्विनाम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तपस्विन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (तापसानाम्)

• गतिम्: refuge, course, goal
• गतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Karma/Accusative), एकवचन

• मृगयमाणानाम्: of those seeking/searching for
• मृगयमाणानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मृगय् (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle), षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (तापसानाम्)

• भवान्: you
• भवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; आदरार्थ-प्रयोगः

• नः: of us
• नः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; एन्क्लिटिक

• परमा: supreme
• परमा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (गतिः)

• गतिः: refuge
• गतिः: Pradhāna-nāma (प्रथमा/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Context

'You are the supreme refuge for us ascetics, tormented by demons, helpless men in search of shelter.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Rākṣasas
• Tāpasas (ascetics)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

The dharmic ideal of śaraṇāgati: when the vulnerable seek refuge with the righteous, the righteous bear a duty to protect and uphold moral order.

What is the narrative situation?

The sages intensify their appeal, declaring Rāma their ultimate refuge amid rākṣasa oppression.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Trust in righteousness and rightful authority; the sages affirm that protection should come through dharmic kingship/heroism rather than retaliation by ascetics.