Valmiki Ramayana 2.65.16 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 65, Shloka 16

अयोध्याकाण्डे पञ्चषष्टितमः सर्गः — Daśaratha’s Death Discovered in the Palace

Morning Rites Turn to Lament

Devanagari script

कौसल्या च सुमत्रच पुत्रशोकपराजिते।प्रसुप्ते न प्रबुध्येते यथा कालसमन्विते।।।।

Transliteration

kausalyā ca sumitrā ca putraśokaparājite |

prasupte na prabudhyete yathā kālasamanvite ||

Translation

Kauśalyā und Sumitrā, vom Kummer um ihre Söhne überwältigt, lagen in tiefem Schlaf und erwachten nicht — als wären sie vom Tod selbst ergriffen.

Word by Word

• कौसल्या: Kausalya
• कौसल्या: कर्ता (Karta; one of the subjects)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौसल्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय

• सुमित्रा: Sumitra
• सुमित्रा: कर्ता (Karta; one of the subjects)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुमित्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय

• पुत्रशोकपराजिते: overcome by grief for (their) son
• पुत्रशोकपराजिते: कर्ता-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुत्र-शोक-पराजित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (पुत्रस्य शोकः तेन पराजिते = overcome by grief for the son); विशेषण (कौसल्या-सुमित्रे)

• प्रसुप्ते: fast asleep
• प्रसुप्ते: कर्ता-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-स्वप् (धातु) + क्त
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; 'fast asleep' (qualifies the two queens)

• न: not
• न: सम्बन्ध
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, निषेध

• प्रबुध्येते: wake up
• प्रबुध्येते: क्रिया
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र- बुध् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष, द्विवचन; आत्मनेपद; अर्थ: 'wake up/awaken'

• यथा: as if
• यथा: सम्बन्ध (Comparative marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, उपमान/प्रकारवाचक (as if/just as)

• कालसमन्विते: as if possessed by death/time
• कालसमन्विते: कर्ता-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काल-समन्वित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; तत्पुरुष (कालेन समन्विते = accompanied by Time/death); विशेषण (प्रसुप्ते)

Context

Overpowered by grief on account of separation from their sons, Sumitra and Kausalya were fast asleep and did not wake up as if they were possessed by death.

Characters & Entities

• Kauśalyā
• Sumitrā
• Kāla (Death/Time)
• Rāma (implied as son of Kauśalyā)

FAQs

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

The verse reveals the human cost when dharma-based duties (exile, obedience, kingship) collide with personal bonds; it underscores compassion toward those who suffer dharma’s harsh consequences.

What is the narrative situation?

Inside the royal chambers, the queens lie in grief-stricken sleep, unaware of the king’s death.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Endurance amid sorrow—though passive here, the portrayal highlights the depth of maternal attachment and the weight of separation.