Shloka 2.103.12

पिण्डदानदर्शनम् — The Queens Behold Rama’s Śrāddha Offering

Devanagari script

चतुरन्तां महीं भुक्त्वा महेन्द्रसदृशो विभुः।कथमिङ्गुदिपिण्याकं स भुक्ते वसुधाधिपः।।2.103.12।।

Transliteration

caturantāṁ mahīṁ bhuktvā mahendrasadṛśo vibhuḥ |

katham iṅgudipiṇyākaṁ sa bhukte vasudhādhipaḥ || 2.103.12 ||

Translation

How can the lord of the earth—mighty, Indra-like—who once enjoyed dominion over the whole land, partake of a cake made from iṅgudī pulp?

Context

How can Indra-like Dasaratha, having ruled the earth bounded by four oceans, eat a cake of ingudi pulp?

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Indra (Mahendra) (as comparison)
• Iṅgudī (fruit/nut)
• Piṇyāka (cake/pulp offering)

FAQs

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

Impermanence of worldly power: dharma reminds that kingship and luxury pass, while duty (rites and remembrance) remains—even in austere conditions.

What is the narrative situation?

A queen contrasts Daśaratha’s former imperial splendor with the simple forest-based offering now made for him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverent mourning—honoring the departed by recalling his greatness and feeling the sting of changed fortune.