Shloka 2.18.37

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

Devanagari script

सप्त सप्त च वर्षाणि दण्डकारण्यमाश्रितः।अभिषेकमिमं त्यक्त्वा जटाजिनधरो वस।।।।

Transliteration

sapta sapta ca varṣāṇi daṇḍakāraṇyam āśritaḥ |

abhiṣekam imaṃ tyaktvā jaṭā-jina-dharo vasa ||2.18.37||

Translation

Renouncing this consecration, take refuge in the Daṇḍaka forest and live for seven and seven years—wearing matted hair and a deer-skin.

Context

Forsake this consecration, wear matted locks and deerskin and take refuge in Dandaka forest for fourteen years.

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Rāma
• Daṇḍakāraṇya
• abhiṣeka (consecration)
• jaṭā (matted hair)
• ajina (deer-skin)

FAQs

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

Dharma expressed as renunciation for the sake of truth: abandoning power (abhiṣeka) and accepting ascetic hardship to uphold a pledged command.

What is the narrative situation?

Kaikeyī specifies the exile’s ascetic form: Rāma must relinquish coronation and live in Daṇḍaka with the marks of a forest-dweller for fourteen years.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The virtue demanded and later exemplified by Rāma is tyāga (sacrifice) grounded in satya—placing duty above kingship and personal desire.