Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 45, Shloka 16
विशालानगरीप्रवेशः
Entry toward Viśālā and the Indra–Kṣīrodamathana Legend
ततस्तेषां नरश्रेष्ठ बुद्धिरासीन्महात्मनाम् ।अमरा अजराश्चैव कथं स्याम निरामया:।।।।
tatas teṣāṃ naraśreṣṭha buddhir āsīn mahātmanām | amarā ajarāś caiva kathaṃ syāma nirāmayāḥ ||
“Pagkaraan, O pinakadakila sa mga tao, sumibol sa isip ng mga dakilang nilalang na iyon ang ganitong pagninilay: ‘Paano kaya kami magiging walang-kamatayan, walang-pagtanda, at walang karamdaman?’”
O Best among men! a thought came to those illustrious ones, 'how can we be free from old age, death and disease'?
FAQs
The verse highlights the ethical tension between aspiration and right means: the desire to overcome suffering is natural, but dharma later tests whether one pursues such goals without violating truth and righteousness.
Devas and others deliberate on how to attain freedom from death, aging, and illness—setting up the churning of the ocean.
Reflective deliberation (buddhi)—the capacity to think strategically before acting, which in dharmic contexts must be guided by restraint and right intention.