Shloka 2.13.26

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

Devanagari script

इतीव राज्ञो व्यथितस्य सा निशाजगाम घोरं श्वसतो मनस्विनःविबोध्यमानः प्रतिबोधनं तदानिवारयामास स राजसत्तमः।।।।

Transliteration

itīva rājño vyathitasya sā niśā jagāma ghoraṃ śvasato manasvinaḥ | vibodhyamānaḥ pratibodhanaṃ tadā nivārayāmāsa sa rājasattamaḥ ||

Translation

Thus passed that night for the afflicted, high-minded king, dreadful with heavy sighing. Then, when the bards sought to wake him, that best of kings stopped their awakening.

Context

The night passed off with the high-minded king lamenting this way and heaving deep sighs. When he got up, the eminent king stopped (the panegyrists) awakening him.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē trayōdaśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the thirteenth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• panegyrists/bards (vandins)

FAQs

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

Dharma here appears as the human cost of righteous obligation: the king’s inner turmoil shows how adherence to truth-bound commitments can bring intense suffering.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha spends a dreadful night in grief; in the morning he prevents the customary waking by court bards.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Manas (nobility of mind): even in anguish, the king’s conduct reflects dignity and restraint.