पितृमरणश्रवणं जलक्रिया च (Hearing of Daśaratha’s death and the libation rites at Mandākinī)
पुरा प्रेक्ष्य सुवृत्तं मां पिता यान्याह सान्त्वयन्।वाक्यानि तानि श्रोष्यामि कुतश्श्रोत्रसुखान्यहम्।।।।
purā prekṣya suvṛttaṃ māṃ pitā yāny āha sāntvayan |
vākyāni tāni śroṣyāmi kutaḥ śrotrasukhāny aham ||
Formerly, seeing my good conduct, my father would speak to me words of comfort—now, from whom shall I ever again hear such ear-pleasing words?
On seeing my good conduct our father used to say comforting words to me. Nowfrom whom can I hear such words pleasing to the ears?
It highlights filial reverence and the moral weight of a father’s guidance: Rama values the dharmic nurture and truthful counsel that shaped his conduct, and laments the loss of that righteous voice.
After Bharata conveys the news of King Dasharatha’s death, Rama remembers how his father used to comfort him and grieves that he will no longer hear such words.
Rama’s humility and gratitude toward parental instruction, showing sensitivity to dharmic upbringing and the irreplaceable role of elders in moral formation.