Chapter 71 — Aranya Kanda, Sarga 71

Valmiki Ramayana — Aranya Kanda

Verse 71.15

निवासं वा प्रभावं वा वयं तस्य न विद्महे। शोकार्तानामनाथानामेवं विपरिधावताम्॥ कारुण्यं सदृशं कर्तुमुपकारेण वर्तताम्।

nivāsaṃ vā prabhāvaṃ vā vayaṃ tasya na vidmahe| śokārtānāmanāthānāmevaṃ viparidhāvatām|| kāruṇyaṃ sadṛśaṃ kartumupakāreṇa vartatām|

English Meaning

It behove you to show proper compassion for us, who have been stricken with grief, who are helpless, have been ranging this forest in this way and are, ever engaged in the well-being of others*. This sloka may be rendered in another way:Do you continue benefiting us by showing proper compassion for us, who are stricken with grief helpless and ranging the forest in this way. We have however adopted here the commentator Rāmāņaya's explanation.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)