Shloka 19

Devanagari script

ततो गृहगतो राजा कैकेयीं पर्यपृच्छत।।।।यथा पूर्वमविज्ञाय स्वार्थलिप्सुमपण्डिताम्।

Transliteration

tato gṛhagato rājā kaikeyīṃ paryapṛcchata |

yathā pūrvam avijñāya svārthalipsum apaṇḍitām ||

Translation

Da begab sich der König in ihre Gemächer und erkundigte sich wie zuvor nach Kaikeyī, ohne zu ahnen, dass die unkluge Königin nun von selbstsüchtigem Begehren getrieben war.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kāla (काल/Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; deśa/kāla-avyaya (then/thereafter)

• gṛha-gataḥ: having gone to the apartment
• gṛha-gataḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gṛha (प्रातिपदिक) + gata (प्रातिपदिक; from √gam)
• Form: Kṛdanta: PPP (क्त) used adjectivally; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; samāsa: tatpuruṣa = 'gone to the house/apartment'

• rājā: the king
• rājā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• kaikeyīm: Kaikeyi
• kaikeyīm: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kaikeyī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• paryapṛcchata: enquired about
• paryapṛcchata: Kriyā (क्रिया/Finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-√prach (प्रच्छ् धातु)
• Form: Laṅ-lakāra (लङ्/Imperfect), Ātmanepada; Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana

• yathā: as (usual)
• yathā: Prakāra (प्रकार/Manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; upamā/vidhi-avyaya (as/according as)

• pūrvam: as before
• pūrvam: Kāla (काल/Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pūrva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya; kāla-avyaya (formerly/as before)

• avijñāya: not realizing
• avijñāya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial participle)
• Type: Verb
• Root: a-vi-√jñā (ज्ञा धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: absolutive/gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्) = 'without knowing/realizing'

• sva-artha-lipsum: seeking her own advantage
• sva-artha-lipsum: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक) + lipsu (प्रातिपदिक; desiderative adj. from √labh)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; samāsa: tatpuruṣa = 'desiring her own interest' (lipsu = 'desirous of obtaining')

• apaṇḍitām: foolish/unwise
• apaṇḍitām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-paṇḍita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; qualifies 'kaikeyīm'

Context

Having entered her apartment, the king, unaware of that foolish Kaikeyi's selfish design enquired her whereabouts as usual.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kaikeyī

FAQs

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

It contrasts dharma-guided relationships with svārtha (self-seeking). When self-interest overrides truth and duty, trust within the family order collapses.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha enters Kaikeyī’s quarters and asks for her, not yet knowing she is staging a ‘wrath’ scene to compel boons.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s innocence and good faith; the verse also points to Kaikeyī’s lapse into imprudence and selfish intent.