Shloka 18
कौशल्याविलापः
Kausalya’s Lament and the Vision of Rama’s Return
साहं गौरिव सिंहेन विवत्सा वत्सला कृता।कैकेय्या पुरुषव्याघ्र बालवत्सेव गौर्बलात्।।।।
sāhaṃ gaur iva siṃhena vivatsā vatsalā kṛtā |
kaikeyyā puruṣavyāghra bālavatsā iva gaur balāt ||
O Tiger unter den Menschen, ich – wie eine Kuh, die ihr Kalb liebt – wurde von Kaikeyi meines Kindes beraubt, gewaltsam entrissen, als hätte ein Löwe das junge Kalb seiner Mutter weggenommen.
Having banished Rama, she is now happy with her desires fulfilled. And like a vicious serpent living in the house she will again frighten me.
FAQs
Dharma includes protecting natural bonds of care (mother and child) and preventing coercive harm. The verse condemns forceful separation as a violation of humane order.
Kausalya describes the pain of losing Rama, blaming Kaikeyi for violently severing the mother–son bond.
Kausalya’s unwavering maternal devotion (vātsalya), presented as natural and sacred.