Shloka 2.18.13

अष्टादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyī Discloses the Boons: Exile to Daṇḍaka and Bharata’s Consecration

Devanagari script

शरीरो मानसो वापि कच्चिदेनं न बाधते।सन्तापोवाऽभितापो वा दुर्लभं हि सदा सुखम्।।।।

Transliteration

śarīro mānaso vāpi kaccid enaṃ na bādhate | santāpo vā 'bhitāpo vā durlabhaṃ hi sadā sukham ||

Translation

Is he troubled by some bodily illness, or by a mental anguish—some affliction or intense distress? For lasting happiness is indeed hard to find.

Context

Is he suffering from any physical ailment or mental agony? It is affliction of either the body or the mind. (For) perpetual happiness is indeed rare.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Kaikeyī
• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Dharma calls for compassionate inquiry into another’s suffering—recognizing both bodily and mental pain as real and worthy of care.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma tries to diagnose the king’s condition, asking whether Daśaratha’s distress is physical or psychological.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Karunā (compassion) joined with practical wisdom: Rāma considers multiple causes of suffering.