Shloka 22
दनु-शापकथा तथा सीताहरण-प्रश्नः
Danu’s Curse Narrative and Rama’s Inquiry about Sita
नाममात्रं तु जानामि न रूपं तस्य रक्षसः।।3.71.22।।निवासं वा प्रभावं वा वयं तस्य न विद्महे।
nāmamātraṃ tu jānāmi na rūpaṃ tasya rakṣasaḥ | nivāsaṃ vā prabhāvaṃ vā vayaṃ tasya na vidmahe ||
ข้าพเจ้ารู้เพียงนามของยักษ์รากษสผู้นั้นเท่านั้น มิรู้รูปพรรณของเขาเลย ทั้งที่พำนักหรือฤทธิ์เดชอำนาจ เราก็มิได้รู้
I only know his name. We do not know how he looks, where he lives and what influence he has.
FAQs
Satya includes admitting limits of knowledge; dharmic action requires clear understanding, so Rāma truthfully acknowledges what is unknown and seeks reliable guidance.
Rāma explains that beyond the name ‘Rāvaṇa,’ he lacks details about the abductor’s appearance, location, and capabilities.
Intellectual honesty and humility—recognizing uncertainty rather than making reckless assumptions.