Shloka 2.18.40

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

Devanagari script

एतत्कुरु नरेन्द्रस्य वचनं रघुनन्दन।सत्येन महता राम तारयस्व नरेश्वरम्।।।।

Transliteration

cintayāmāsa ca tadā rāmaḥ pitṛhite rataḥ | kiṁ svid adyaiva nṛpatir na māṁ pratyabhinandati ||

Translation

Then Rāma—devoted to his father’s good—pondered: “Why is it that today the king does not return my greeting?”

Context

O Joy of the Raghus, O son of the Raghu race, carry out the word of promise given by the king and save him by helping him keep the truth which is great.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Dasaratha

FAQs

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

Dharma here is mindful service: Rāma reads relational signals and worries about his father’s well-being rather than focusing on his own honor.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma notices an unusual coldness/silence from Daśaratha and tries to understand what has changed.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Considerate attentiveness (pitṛhita)—a son’s steady concern and emotional intelligence.