Shloka 44

सत्यपाशः

Kaikeyi’s Demand and the Noose of the King’s Promise

Devanagari script

तं तु पूर्वोदितं वृध्दं द्वारस्था राज सम्मतम्।।।।न शेकुरभिसंरोध्दुं राज्ञः प्रियचिकीर्षवः।

Transliteration

taṃ tu pūrvoditaṃ vṛddhaṃ dvārasthā rājasammatam |

na śekur abhisaṃroddhuṃ rājñaḥ priyacikīrṣavaḥ ||

Translation

Doch die Torwächter—Wohlgesinnte, dem dem König Teuren ergeben—vermochten den betagten Sumantra nicht aufzuhalten, der schon zuvor gekommen war und in des Königs Gunst stand.

Word by Word

तम्him

तुbut; however

पूर्वोदितम्who had come earlier

वृद्धम्aged; old

द्वारस्थाःdoorkeepers

राजसम्मतम्approved by the king

नnot

शेकुःwere able

अभिसंरोद्धुम्to detain; to block

राज्ञःof the king

प्रियचिकीर्षवःwishing to do what was pleasing (to the king)

Context

The doorkeepers, beloved wellwishers of the king, did not detain aged Sumantra who was liked by the king and who had arrived early.

Characters & Entities

Sumantra

Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Dharma here is loyal service within rightful hierarchy: attendants act in accordance with the king’s wishes and established trust, not merely rigid obstruction.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra arrives early at the palace and is allowed to pass the doorkeepers to approach King Daśaratha.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The doorkeepers’ loyal discretion (knowing whom to admit) and Sumantra’s respected standing earned through faithful service.