Shloka 2.18.39

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

Devanagari script

एतेन त्वां नरेन्द्रोऽयं कारुण्येन समाप्लुतः।शोकसंक्लिष्ट वदनो न शक्नोति निरीक्षितुम्।।।।

Transliteration

indriyair aprahṛṣṭais taṁ śokasantāpakarśitam | niśśvasantaṁ mahārājaṁ vyathitākulacetasam || ūrmimālinam akṣobhyaṁ kṣubhyantam iva sāgaram | upaplutaṁ ivādityam uktānṛtam ṛṣiṁ yathā ||

Translation

With senses grown joyless, the great king—wasted by grief and burning distress—breathed heavily, his mind shaken and confused. Though by nature unshakable, he seemed to churn like the wave-crowned sea; like the sun eclipsed; like a ṛṣi brought low by speaking untruth.

Context

This is why the king with his face tortured by tears and (his heart) overwhelmed with compassion for you, is unable to look at you.

Characters & Entities

• Dasaratha
• Rama

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the ethical cost of departing from satya: inner turmoil manifests outwardly, and even a powerful ruler is undone when truth and duty are compromised.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha is shown physically and mentally shattered as he faces the consequences of the boons promised to Kaikeyī and the impending separation from Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast, the verse underscores the ideal of steadfastness in truth—implied through the king’s suffering when that steadiness is lost.