Shloka 2.14.59

सत्यपाशः — Kaikeyi’s Demand and the Noose of the King’s Promise

Devanagari script

तत स्सराजा तं सूतं सन्नहर्ष स्सुतं प्रति।शोकरक्तेक्षण श्श्रीमानुद्वीक्ष्योवाच धार्मिकः।।।।वाक्यैस्तु खलु मर्माणि मम भूयो निकृन्तसि।

Transliteration

tataḥ sa rājā taṃ sūtaṃ sannaharṣaḥ sutaṃ prati | śokaraktīkṣaṇaḥ śrīmān udvīkṣyovāca dhārmikaḥ || vākyaistu khalu marmāṇi mama bhūyo nikṛntasi |

Translation

Then the righteous king—joyless as he thought of his son, his eyes reddened by grief—looked up and spoke to the charioteer: “Indeed, by your words you pierce my very vitals yet again.”

Context

The virtuous and glorious king thinking of his son without cheer looked upward with eyes red with tears and said to the charioteer, You are causing my heart excruciating pain with your words.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Sumantra
• Rāma (implied as 'son')

FAQs

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

It shows the tension between dharma and emotion: truth-telling counsel may be necessary, yet it can feel cruel to one overwhelmed by grief.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha responds to Sumantra’s urging about the coronation, confessing that the minister’s words intensify his pain.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s honesty and emotional openness—he does not disguise the wound his circumstances have created.