Shloka 21

तापसाश्रममण्डलदर्शनम्

Entering Dandaka and Meeting the Sages

Devanagari script

न्यस्तदण्डा वयं राजञ्जितक्रोधा जितेन्द्रियाः।रक्षणीयास्त्वया शश्वदगर्भभूतास्तपोधनाः।।।।

Transliteration

nyasta-daṇḍā vayaṃ rājan jita-krodhā jitendriyāḥ |

rakṣaṇīyās tvayā śaśvad agarbha-bhūtās tapodhanāḥ ||

Translation

Tâu Đại vương, chúng tôi đã đặt xuống cây trượng trừng phạt; đã thắng giận và điều phục các căn. Chúng tôi—những khổ hạnh giả lấy khổ hạnh làm gia tài—hằng đáng được ngài bảo hộ, như chính con thơ của ngài.

Word by Word

• न्यस्तदण्डाः: having laid aside the rod (non-violent)
• न्यस्तदण्डाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nyasta-daṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound: nyasta (PPP of √as/√ni-as 'to place down') + daṇḍa; Masculine, Nominative, Plural; qualifying 'vayam'

• वयम्: we
• वयम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Nominative, Plural

• राजन्: O king
• राजन्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• जितक्रोधाः: having conquered anger
• जितक्रोधाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jita-krodha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound: jita (PPP of √ji) + krodha; Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• जितेन्द्रियाः: self-controlled (senses conquered)
• जितेन्द्रियाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jita-indriya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound: jita + indriya; Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• रक्षणीयाः: to be protected
• रक्षणीयाः: Pradhāna-predication (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rakṣaṇīya (कृदन्त; √rakṣ (धातु))
• Form: Gerundive (अनीयर्), Masculine, Nominative, Plural; predicate 'to be protected'

• त्वया: by you
• त्वया: Karta (agent in passive; कर्ता-करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Instrumental, Singular

• शश्वत्: always
• शश्वत्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śaśvat (अव्यय)
• Form: Kāla-avyaya adverb 'always'

• अगर्भभूताः: like (your) children
• अगर्भभूताः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-garbha-bhūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound with privative a-: a + garbha + bhūta; Masculine, Nominative, Plural; sense 'as if (your) children' (not in womb yet like offspring)

• तपोधनाः: ascetics rich in austerity
• तपोधनाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas-dhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi (बहुव्रीहि) compound: tapas + dhana; Masculine, Nominative, Plural; 'those whose wealth is austerity'

Context

The hermitages looked glorified with dances by celestial damsels. They were adorned with vast fire sanctuaries, ladles for sacrificial ceremonies, deerskins and kusa grass faggots for pots of water, roots and fruits. They looked delightful with huge sacred trees of the forest laden with sweet fruits.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• tāpasas (ascetics)
• daṇḍa (staff/rod of authority)
• tapas (austerity)

FAQs

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

A division of dharmic roles: ascetics renounce force (nyasta-daṇḍa) and cultivate restraint, while the kṣatriya’s dharma is to protect them. Non-violence in the āśrama is supported by righteous protection from outside threats.

What is the narrative situation?

The sages clarify why they cannot retaliate against aggressors: their vows require restraint, so they appeal to Rāma’s royal duty to safeguard them.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The sages’ self-control (jitendriya, jitakrodha) and Rāma’s paternal guardianship implied by ‘like your children’—a model of compassionate authority.