Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 13, Shloka 15
अयोध्याकाण्डे त्रयोदशः सर्गः | Kaikeyi Presses the Boons; Dasaratha’s Lament and Collapse
सा त्रियामा तथार्त्तस्य चन्द्रमण्डलमण्डिता।।।।राज्ञो विलपमानस्य न व्यभासत शर्वरी।
sā triyāmā tathārttasya candramaṇḍalamaṇḍitā |
rājño vilapamānasya na vyabhāsata śarvarī |
Though the three-yāma night was adorned with the circle of the moon, it did not seem bright to the king who wept in such anguish.
For the king who was in deep anguish and in tears the night appeared dark even though it was adorned with the lunar orb.
FAQs
When dharma is threatened, the mind loses its light: external auspiciousness (moonlit night) cannot console one who feels moral ruin and impending injustice.
Night falls; despite moonlight, Daśaratha experiences only darkness because of his grief over Kaikeyī’s demands.
Daśaratha’s deep attachment and conscience—his suffering arises from the collision between love for Rāma and the binding force of pledged boons.