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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.]
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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.]
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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. ]