Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 108, Shloka 16
जाबाल्युपदेशः
Jabali’s Pragmatic Counsel to Rama
दानसंवनना ह्येते ग्रन्था मेधाविभिः कृताः।यजस्व देहि दीक्षस्व तपस्तप्यस्व सन्त्यज।।।।
dānasaṁvananā hy ete granthā medhāvibhiḥ kṛtāḥ |
yajasva dehi dīkṣasva tapas tapyasva santyaja ||
Tunay, ang mga kasulatang ito’y nilikha ng mga pantas bilang pang-udyok sa pagbibigay: “maghandog ng yajña,” “magbigay ng dāna,” “tumanggap ng dīkṣā,” “magsagawa ng tapas,” “magpagtalikod,” at iba pa.
O Rama! one who establishes relationship by saying, 'She is my mother; he is my father' is to be regarded as a lunatic. In fact, no one belongs to any one.
FAQs
It distinguishes true dharma from mere persuasion: ethical acts like dāna and tapas should be chosen from understanding and truth, not only because texts socially ‘induce’ them.
Bharata argues that scriptural injunctions can function as motivational tools, continuing his attempt to reframe what should count as a reliable guide for action.
Intellectual independence—valuing meaning and truth over conformity.