ramayanam sloagans

7/27/2019 ramayanam sloagans

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QUOTABLE QUOTES FROM VALMIKI RAMAYANARamayana and Mahabharataare the two epics which have

so mingled with the collective conscience of our peoplethat, to this day, the ideas and values in them continue

to influence our lives. Ramayana is considered the Adi

Kavya,, the first ever epic poem written. Maharshi

Valmiki is known as the Adi Kavi, the first ever poet in

the history of Sanskrit literature, nay, the history of world

literature.

Ramayana pictures the whole gamut of life of an

individual. It throws light on his/her duties and

responsibilities in various roles as father, mother, son,

daughter, husband, wife, brother, sister, friend, master,

servant, teacher and so on. Valmiki presents Rama as

the ideal man and Sita as the ideal woman. However,

later versions of Ramayana like Ramcharitmanas ofTulsidas, Kamba Ramayanam in Tamil by poet Kamban,

Adhyatma Ramayana in Malayalam by poet Ezuthachan

and Ranganatha Ramayana in Telugu present Rama as

an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The quotes selected and presented here are the words

of the different characters of this great epic uttered indifferent situations. The ideas and values contained in

them form part of what is called sanatana dharmaand

are eternally true for all ges. In these times of social

upheaval it is all the more necessary for us to get back

to these fundamental principles of life and living which

we have almost forgotten in the rat race for material

gains.


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Aahuh satyam hi paramam dharmam dharmavido

janaah

2.14.3

Those who have knowledge of dharmasay that Truth is

the highest dharma

[Context: Dasaratha had promised three boons to

Kaikeyi when she saved his life during one of those

battles he fought on the side of the Devas. When the

coronation of Rama is announced, Kaikeyi asks for two

of the boons from Dasaratha. She wants Bharata to be

installed as the King and Rama to be sent to the forest

for fourteen years. When Dasaratha was in a dilemma,Kaikeyi says that Truthis the highest dharma, implying

that Dasaratha should keep his promise as otherwise he

will be guilty of transgressing dharma.]

Durlabham hi sadaa sukham

2.18.13

To be happy always is something which is difficult to

achieve. That is to say, happiness and sorrow alternate

in ones life and there cannot be uninterrupted

happiness alone.


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[Context: Ramas words to Kaikeyi when he saw his

father deep in sorrow and in tears at the prospect of

Rama going into the forest for 14 years.]

Ramo dwir naabhibhaashate

2.18.30

Once Rama gives his word, that is final and it is kept at

any cost. There is no question of repetition of the same

a second time.

[Context: Ramas words to Kaikeyi : tat broohi

vachanam devi raajno yadabhikaangkshitam Karishye

pratijaane cha ramo dwir naabhibhaashate O Devi!

Please tell me what the King wants of me. I promise

that I will carry out whatever is his wish. What Rama

says once he carries out; there is no looking back.]

Gurorapy avaliptasya kaaryaakaaryam ajaanatah

Utpathham pratipannasya kaaryam bhavati shaasanam

2.11.13

One who is haughty, who does not know whether what

he does is right or wrong and who has taken to the

wrong path is to be disciplined even if he is guru, parentor an elder in age or learning.


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[Context: These are words addressed to Rama by

Lakshamana who is angry at the turn of events with

Rama preparing himself to live 14 years in the forestsbecause of the boon granted by Dasaratha to Kaikeyi.

By the word guru Lakshmana, by implication, is

referring to Dasaratha in this context. ]

Viklavo veeryaheeno yah sa daivamanuvartate

Veeraah sambhaavitaatmaano na daivam

paryupaasate

2.23.16

Only the timid and the weak leave things to destiny

(daivam) but the strong and the self-confident neverbank on destiny or luck (bhagya)

[Context: These are words of Lakshmana addressed to

Rama when the latter says that neither Kaikeyee nor his

father was responsible for his banishment to the forests.

It was all the play of destiny ( daivam).]

. Yo hi datwaa dwipashreshthham kakshyaayaam kurute

manah

Rajjusnehena kim tasya tyajatah kunjarottamam

2.37.3


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If a person is gifting away his elephant but his heart is

set on the rope used for tying the elephant, of what use

is his attachment to the rope when he is giving away theelephant itself.

[Context: Dasaratha wanted to send the royal retinue to

follow Rama to the forests. Kaikeyi objects to this.

Rama says that when he is abandoning the kingdom

itself what royal paraphernalia to him is. It is like giving

away the elephant and setting ones heart on the ropewith which the elephant is tied.]

Naatantree vidyate veenaa naachakro vidyate rathah

Naapatih sukhamedheta yaa syaadapi shataatmajaa

2.39.29

A Veena cannot exist without its strings. A chariot

cannot exist without its wheels. Without her husband a

woman can never live happily even though she has a

hundred sons.

[Context: Sitas response to Kausalyas advice asking

her to respect and obey Rama in spite of his being

deprived of the kingdom.]

Shoko naashayate dhairyam shoko naashayate shrutam


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Shoko naashayete sarvam nasti shokasamo

ripuh

2.62.15

Grief destroys ones courage. It destroys ones

learning. It destroys ones everything. There is no

enemy greater than grief.

[Context: These are the words of Kausalya. She had

spoken harsh words to Dasratha for sending Rama to

the forests. She repents and says that she spoke thusbecause of her intense grief on Rama being sent to the

forests]

Yadannah purusho bhavati tadannaastasya devataah

2.103.30

Whatever is ones food, the same food shall be offered

to ones gods.

[Context: Rama hears the news of Dasarathas death

from Bharata. He performs the obsequies of his father.

He says that one can offer to the departed souls only

what one is having for food i.e. fruits and roots which arethe only things available in the forest.]

Kuleenam akuleenam vaa veeram purushamaaninam


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Charitrameva vyaakhyaati shuchim vaa yadi

vaashuchim

2.109.4

Udwijante yathaa sarpaat naraadanruta vaadinah

2.109.12

Satyameveshwaro loke satye dharmah

samaashritah

2.109.13

Only a persons conduct and character proclaim

whether he is born in a good family or whether he is

boasting about himself or whether he is unblemished(shuchih) or blemished (ashuchih).

Just as people are afraid of serpents they are afraid of

persons who utter lies.

Truth controls this world and dharmais rooted in truth.

[Context: These are words of Rama to Maharshi Jabali

who advises him to ignore his fathers wishes and go

back to Ayodhya. The Maharshi speaks lika

a nastikaand makes disparaging remarks about

dharma, truth, good conduct, character etc. Rama,

however, reiterates the values of truth, dharmaand

character in a mans life. ]


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Na supratikaram tattu maatraa pitraa cha yatkrutam

2.111.9

It is difficult for the children to repay the debt of what

the mother and the father have done to bring them up.

[Context: Ramas words to Vasishtha who accompanies

Bharata to the forests for bringing back Rama to

Ayodhya]

Lakshmee chandrat apeyaadwaa himavaan vaa himam

tyajetAteeyaat saagaro velaam na pratijnaamaham

pituh

2.112.18

Beauty may leave the moon, Himavaan may become

bereft of snow, the ocean may transgress its shores but

I will never violate the promise given by my father.

[Context: Ramas words to Bharata when he requests

him to return to Ayodhya and rule the Kingdom.]


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Dharmaadarthah prabhavati dharmaat prabhavate

sukham

Dharmena labhate sarvam dharmasaaramidam jagat

3.9.30

Aatmaanam niyamaih taistaih karshayitwaa

prayatnatah

Praapyate nipunair dharmo na sukhaat labhate sukham

3.9.31

Wealth springs from dharma, from dharmacomes

happiness and one gets everything

from dharma. Dharmais the essence of this world.

Dharma, which is the source of all happiness, can be

attained even by a skilled person, only after observing

various disciplines for his own purification and after

great effort subjecting himself to great strain and stress.

One cannot attain such dharmaby leading a life given to

the pleasures of the senses.

[Context: Sita apprehands that Rama, armed always, as

he is, with his bow and arrows, may tend to hurt

animals in the forest or hurt those rakshasas from

whom there is no threat. She emphasises the

importance of ahimsaand other virtues and requests

Rama to be compassionate, kind and merciful.]


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Anaagata vidhaanam tu kartavyam shubhamichchhataaAapadaashankamaanena purushena vipashchitaa

3.24.11

A wise man should foresee tragedy or misfortune and

take action to prevent or overcome such tragedy or

misfortune well before it strikes. Thus only he can enjoy

a safe and good life.

[Context: There are bad omens in the forest and Rama

anticipates trouble from Khara, the

terrible raakshasa. He therefore forewarns Lakshmana

in these words and asks him to take Sita to a safe

place.]

Karma lokaviruddham tu kurvaanam kshanadaachara

Teekshnam sarvajano hanti sarpam dushtamivaagatam

3.29.4

Na chiram paapakarmaanah kruooraah lokajugupsitaah

Aishwaryam praapya thishthhanti sheernamoolaah iva

drumaah3.29.5


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Na chiraat praapyate loke paapaanaam karmanaam

phalam

Savishaanaamivaannaanaam bhuktaanaam

kshanadaachara

3.29.9

O Rakshasa! People will kill, as they kill a poisonous

snake, a cruel and ferocious person whose actions are

against the people and hurt them.

Those cruel persons who, by their sinful actions, inflict

physical and mental injury on others are detested by

people. Though such people may amass immensewealth they cannot retain it for long. They will perish like

a tree whose roots have become decayed.

In this world, one will, before long, suffer the

consequences of ones sinful actions in the same way

as poisonous food taken by a person kills him within a

short time.

[Context: Rama admonishes the rakshasaKhara in

these words and warns him that his sins will overtake

him and cause him severe physical and mental

suffering.]


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Paradaaraabhimarshaattu naanyat paapataram mahat

3.38.30

There is no greater sin than coveting another mans

wife.

[Context: This is Maarichas warning to Ravana who is

bent on abducting Sita and solicits the help of Maaricha

in this misadventure.] Sa bhaarah saumya bhartavyo yo naram

naavasaadayet

Tadannamapi bhoktavyam jeeryate yadanaamayam3.50.18

Yatkrutwaa na bhaveddharmo na keertirna yashodhruvam

Shareerasya bhavet khedah kastatkarma samaacharet

3.50.19

One should lift only such weight as will not exhaust one

beyond a limit. One should eat only such food as will

easily digest.


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Who will engage himself in such action as will get him

neither dharma nor reputation nor lasting fame and

which will only result in physical exhaustion?

[Context: Jatayus advice to Ravana to refrain from

abducting Sita. This is going to cost him dearly,

something which he will not be able to bear.]

Mumurshoonaam tu sarveshaam yatpathhyam tannarochate

3.53.17

One who is bent on courting his death will not take

kindly to sage counsel given by his well-wishers

[Context: Sita admonishes Ravana for his despicable act

and says that he will not hear good advice as he is benton dying at the hands of Rama.]

Utsaaho balavaanaarya naastyutsaahaat param balamSotsaahasya hi lokeshu na kinchidapi durlabham.

4.1.121

Enthusiasm has great strength. There is no greater

strength than enthusiasm. There is nothing which is not

attainable in this world for the enthusiastic.


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[Context: Lakshmanas words to cheer up Rama who is

deep in sorrow at the loss of Sita. He emphasizes that

Rama should come out of his grief and be cheerful and

enthusiastic about seeking out Sitas whereabouts.]

: Dukhitah sukhito vaapi sakhyurnityam sakhaa gatih

4.8.40

Whether in sorrow or in happiness a friend is always a

friends support.

[Context: Sugreevas words to Rama after he narrates

his sorrowful tale to Rama.]

Jyeshthho bhraataa pitaa vaapi yashcha vidyaam

prayachchhati

Trayo vai pitaro jneyaah dharme cha pathhi vartinah

4.18.13

Ones elder brother, father and the teacher who gives

knowledge - all these three, treading the pathof dharma, are to be considered as ones father.

[Context: Rama is justifying his action in killing Vali from

behind a tree. Vali, being the elder brother of Sugreeva

should have been like a father to him. Instead, he had

taken away Sugreevas wife causing the latter mental

agony.]


15/29

Arthheenaam upapannaanaam poorvam

chaapyupakaarinaam

Aashaam samshrutya yo hanti sa loke

purushaadhamah

4.30.71

A person gives hope to another who requests for money

or other material thing or to one who had helped that

person in the past. Having given them hope, if that

person disappoints them by not keeping his promise,

then he is the worst kind of person in this world.

[Context: Ramas words to Lakshmana whom he sendsto Sugreeva to remind him of the need to take urgent

measures for searching out Sita. Sugreeva, having

promised help in finding Sita, seemed to be taking it

easy.]

Goghne chaiva suraape cha choure bhagnavrate

tathhaa

Nishkritih nihitaa sadbhih kritaghne naasti nishkritih

4.34.12


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There is atonement, laid down by men of character, for

one who kills a cow, consumes intoxicating drinks,

steals or breaks ones promise but there is no

atonement for one who is ungrateful.

[Context: These are words of Lakshmana to Sugreeva

who seemed to have forgotten whatever Rama had

done for him. He seemed to be delaying action to find

the whereabouts of Sita.]

Na kashchinnaaparaadhyati

4.36.11

To err is human, there is none who has not erred

some time or other.

[Context: Sugreeva apologizes to Lakshmana and sayshe had erred and he would now send his men in search

of Sita.]

Anirvedam cha daakshyam cha

manasashchaaparaajayam

Karyasiddhikaraanyaahuh

4.49.6

Not getting dejected or depressed, skill in doing ones

job and not losing heart in the face of difficulties these


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are the qualities which enable one to achieve ones

goals.

[Context: These are the words of Angada, son ofSugriva, to his team members who are on the mission of

finding the whereabouts of Sita. They were beginning

to lose heart when, in spite of extensive search, they

could not find Sita.]

Na vishaade manah kaaryam vishaado doshavattarah

Vishaado hanti purusham baalam kruddhah ivoragah

4.64.9

One should not let ones mind to be overcome by

melancholy. Melancholy or moroseness is a very badthing. It kills (destroys) a man just as an angered

serpent kills a child.

[Context: These are the words of Angada to

the Vanaraswho were beginning to lose heart looking at

the vast expanse of the ocean which had to be crossed

to reach Lanka where Sita was kept in captivity]

Anirvedah shriyo moolam anirvedah param sukham

5.12.10

Vinaashe bahavo doshaah jeevannaapnoti bhadrakam


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5.13.45

Not getting depressed, frustrated or dejected is the basis

for all prosperity and happiness.Giving up ones life produces nothing good, to continue

to live is the way to joy and happiness.

[Context: Soliloquy of Hanuman when, in spite of

extensive search in the palaces of Ravana, he does not

find Sita. He was beginning to lose heart and was even

thinking of taking his life. He then tells himself that heshould not think on those lines.]

Dhigastu paravashyataam

5.25.20

Drishyamaane bhavet preetih sauhridam

naastyadrishyatah

5.26.41

To be under the control of another is to be condemned;

it is the worst thing that can befall a person.

Love and affection is possible only when a person is

being seen and is not out of sight in a far away place.

[Context: Soliloquies of Sita who is being threatened by

the Rakshasisguarding her to accept the advances of

Ravana which Sita totally refuses to do.]


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Kalyaanee bata gaathheyam laukikee prathibhaati me

Ethi jeevantam aanando naram varsha shataadapi

5.34.6

The saying If one continues to live, happiness and bliss

may come even after a gap of a hundred years seems

to me an auspicious one.[Context: Sitas words to Hanuman from whom she

hears news of Rama and Lakshmana and their efforts to

kill Ravana and the Rakshasas and release her from

captivity. She had earlier contemplated suicide but now

she realizes that living was a good thing because

happiness will not elude one for ever.]

Aanrushamsyam paro dharmah

5.38.39

To be compassionate, kind, merciful and humane is a

great virtue.[Context: Sitas message to Rama through Hanuman

entreating Rama to show some mercy one her and

rescue her without further delay.]


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Na saama rakshassu gunaaya kalpate

Na daanamarthopachiteshu yujyate

5.41.3

Words of conciliation to the rakshasas will not bring out

any good (Soft words will not have any effect on a

rakshasa). In the same way one cannot pacify an

immensly wealthy person by offering him material

things.

[ Context: Soliloquy of Hanuman before he startsdestroying the ashoka vana of Ravana and thus show

his valour which only will have some effect on the

Rakshasas, not saamaor daana]

Kopam na gachchhanti hi sattwantah

The strong of heart do not become angry.

Vaachyaavaachyam prakupito na vijaanaati karhichit

Naakaaryamasti kruddhasya naavaachyam vidyate

kwachit

5.55.5


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Naagniragnau pravartate

5.55.22

One who is angry does not distinguish between whatcan be spoken and what is unspeakable. There is

nothing which an angry man cannot do meaning he can

commit any crime. There is nothing unspeakable for

him.

Fire cannot act on fire.

[Context: Soliloquy of Hanuman when, after burning

down the palaces in Lanka from the fire set to his tail, he

becomes worried that Sita might have been hurt by the

fire. He chides himself for getting angry and observes

that an angry person loses his capacity to think and

does not know what the right thing to say or do is. On

further contemplation, Hanuman realizes thata pativratalike Sita herself is like fire. How can fire act

on fire? ]

Nirutsaahasya deenasya shokaparyaakulaatmanahSarvaarthhaah vyavaseedanti vyasanam

chaadhigachchhati

6.2.6

The efforts of one who is unenthusiastic, weak and

immersed in sorrow cannot bring out any good

and he comes to grief.


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[Context: These are words of Sugreeva to enthuse

Rama and lift his spirits. Hanuman has brought news

of Sita and Ramas joy knows no bounds. At the sametime he is worried about how he and his army of vanaras

will cross the ocean and reach Lanka to fight with the

Rakshasas and rescue Sita.]

Mantramoolam cha vijayam pravadanti manaswinah

6.6.5

Wise men say that the root of victory is consultation and

discussion with learned and wise men. .

[Context: These are words of Ravana to his ministers.

Rattled by the destruction and devastation committed by

Hanuman in Lanka, Ravana convenes an assembly of

his ministers and invites their suggestions about the next

course of action.]

!Jaanaami sheelam jnaateenaam sarvalokeshu

raakshasa!

Hrishyanti vyasaneshwete jnaateenaam jnaatayah

sadaa

6.16.3


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Yathhaa pushkarapatreshu patitaastoyabindavah

Na shleshamabhiganchchanti tathhaanaaryeshusauhridam

6.16.11

I know the nature of ones relatives. Relatives always

rejoice when their relatives are in trouble.

Just like drops of water on lotus leaves do not stick tothe leaves, in the same way is the friendship with people

who lack character.

[Context: These are sarcastic remarks made by Ravana

against Vibheeshana who had advised Ravana to return

Sita to Rama with honour. Ravana is not prepared to

accept this sage advice. On the other hand he wasterribly angry with Vibhishana for suggesting such a

course of action.]

Aaakarah chhaadyamaanopi na shakyo vinigoohitum

Balaaddhi vivrunotyeva bhaavamantargatam nrunaam

6.17.64

Ones innermost thoughts and emotions reflect on ones

physical appearance which it is difficult to cover up

however one may try to do it. Such changes in ones


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physical appearance forcefully expose such innermost

emotions and thoughts.

[Context: These are words of Hanuman to Rama whoconsults the vanaraleaders about accepting

Vibheeshana who has come to join their side after

parting company with Ravana. Many of

the vanaraleaders do not want to accept him and some

even suggest that he may be a spy of Ravana.

Hanuman, however, cogently argues the case for

Vibhashanas acceptance. He says that Vibheeshanasbody language clearly indicates that he is earnest and

does not have evil intentions.]

:Garjanti na vruthhaa shooraah nirjalaa iva toyadaah

6.65.3

The thundering of clouds which have spent all their

water does not produce any rain. But the really valiant

do not roar in vain; they show their valor in action also.

[Context: These are the words of Kumbhakarnaaddressed to Ravana. He sets out to face Rama,

Lakshmana and the entire army of vanaras. and vows

to kill Rama and thus once for all put an end to the

troubles of Ravana]


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Yah swapaksham parityajya parapaksham nishevate

swapakshe cha kshayam yaate pashchaattairevahanyate

6.87.16

The one who abandons ones own camp and joins the

enemys camp will be killed by the very men of his

former camp after the latter camp is completely

destroyed by the former.

[Context: These are the words of Indrajit to Vibhishana

when he encounters the latter in the battle field. He

implies that Rama and his army will be wiped out and he

(Vibheeshana) will be put to death by the rakshasas.]

Paraswaanaam cha haranam

paradaaraabhimarshanam

Suhrudaamatishankaa cha trayo doshaah

kshayaavahaah

6.85.23

Stealing the wealth of others, coveting another mans

wife and doubting the integrity and character of friends -

these three lead to ones destruction.

[Context: This is Vibheeshanas reply to the taunts of

Indrajit who encounters the former in the battle field andrebukes Vibhishana for ditching Ravana.]


26/29

Deshe deshe kalatraani deshe deshe cha baandhavaah

Tam tu desham na pashyaami yatra bhraataa

sahodarah

6.101.14

One may have wives and relatives in every country butone cannot have a brother like Lakshmana in every

place.

[Context: Ramas words of sorrow when Lakshmana

becomes unconscious in the battle field struck by the

spear of Indrajit.]

Nahi pratijnaam kurvanti vithathhaam satyavaadinah

Lakshanam hi mahattwasya pratijnaaparipaalanam

6.101.52

Those who always adhere to truth do not make false

promises. Keeping ones promises is, surely, the mark

of ones greatness.

[Context: Rama was plunged into deep sorrow and loses

heart when Lakshamana was struck unconscious by a


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spear thrown at him by Ravana. Lakshmana was

revived by the sanjeevani brought by Hanuman.

Seeing Ramas condition Lakshmana reminds him of

Ramas vow to kill Ravana who had abducted Sita.Lakshmana says that the vow made by Rama should

never become false. ]

Pativrataanaam naakasmaat patantyashrooni bhootale6.111.67

The tears of virtuous women (pativratas) do not fall on

the ground in vain, meaning it will destroy those who

caused them such anguish of heart causing tears to be

shed.

[Context: These are the words of Mandodari who

mourns the death of Ravana. She says Ravana met this

fate because of the tears shed by Sita who was

apativrataand whom Ravana anguished by his improper

advances]

Dhaaranaaddharmamityaahuh dharmena vidhrutaah

prajaah

(7.59 Prakshipta: 2/7)

Dharma is so called because it sustains or supports

society (from the root dhri meaningto support). The


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people of a country are held together and sustained

by Dharma.

Krodhah praanaharo shatruh krodho mitramukho ripuh

Krodhohyasirmahaateekshnah sarvam

krodhopakarshati

(7.59 prakshipta 2/21)Anger is the enemy which takes ones life. Anger is

enemy with the face of a friend. Anger is like a very

sharp sword. Anger destroys everything.

Na saa sabhaa yatra na santi vruddhaah

Vriddhaa na te ye na vadanti dharmamNaasau dharmo yatra na satyamasti

Na tatsatyam yachchhalenaanuviddham

That is not an assembly where wise old men are not

there. They are not wise old men who do not

preach dharma. That is not dharmawhere there is no

Truth. That is not Truth which is covered over withdeceit.


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Tapo hi paramam shreyah sammohamitaratsukham7.84.3

Tapas is the highest good. All other pleasures or joys

are only delusions.

[Context: These are the words of Vrutrasura who wants

to do severe tapas. ]

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ramayanam sloagans