Shloka 2.18.16

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

Devanagari script

यतोमूलं नरः पश्येत्प्रादुर्भावमिहात्मनः।कथं तस्मिन्नवर्तेत प्रत्यक्षे सति दैवते।।।।

Transliteration

yato mūlaṃ naraḥ paśyet prādurbhāvam ihātmanaḥ | kathaṃ tasmin na varteta pratyakṣe sati daivate ||

Translation

When a man sees before him the very source from which he came into being in this world, how could he fail to act in accordance with that visible divinity?

Context

How can a man who owes his origin (birth) in this world to him (father) who still exists as a visible god not conduct himself (as per his wish)?

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Kaikeyī
• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Reverence to parents as ‘pratyakṣa-daiva’ (visible divinity) anchors dharma; gratitude for one’s origin demands respectful conduct and obedience.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma explains why it would be unthinkable for him to act against his father’s wishes: the father stands as the manifest source of his life.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kṛtajñatā (gratitude) and śraddhā (reverent faith) toward the father.