Shloka 2.13.25

अयोध्याकाण्डे त्रयोदशः सर्गः | Kaikeyi Presses the Boons; Dasaratha’s Lament and Collapse

Devanagari script

ततस्स राजा पुनरेव मूर्छितःप्रियामतुष्टां प्रतिकूलभाषिणीम्।समीक्ष्य पुत्रस्य विवासनं प्रतिक्षितौ विसंज्ञो निपपात दुखितः।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ sa rājā punar eva mūrchitaḥ priyām atuṣṭāṃ pratikūla-bhāṣiṇīm | samīkṣya putrasya vivāsanaṃ prati kṣitau visaṃjño nipapāta duḥkhitaḥ ||

Translation

Then the king fainted again; seeing his beloved queen unsatisfied and speaking against him—pressing for his son’s banishment—he fell to the ground, senseless with grief.

Context

Seeing his dear wife not pleased (despite his pleadings) and urging him, to the contrary, for the banishment of his son, the king overcome with grief fell down unconscious on the floor.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kaikeyī
• Rāma

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the crushing weight of conflicting duties: personal love and paternal care collide with the binding force of promises (satya), producing moral and emotional collapse.

What is the narrative situation?

Kaikeyī persists in demanding Rāma’s exile; Daśaratha, overwhelmed, faints and falls.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s deep attachment and moral sensitivity—his body reacts to the unbearable ethical conflict.