Shloka 2.19.17

एकोनविंशः सर्गः (Sarga 19): Rāma’s Unshaken Acceptance of Exile and Kaikeyī’s Urgency

Devanagari script

धिक्कष्टमिति निःश्वस्य राजा शोकपरिप्लुतः।मूर्छितो न्यपतत्तस्मिन्पर्यङ्के हेमभूषिते।।2.19.17।।

Transliteration

dhik kaṣṭam iti niḥśvasya rājā śokapariplutaḥ |

mūrchito nyapatat tasmin paryaṅke hemabhūṣite || 2.19.17 ||

Translation

Sighing, “Fie—what a calamity!”, the king, overwhelmed by grief, fainted and fell back upon that couch adorned with gold.

Context

'Fie, what a calamity!' sighing thus, the king, overwhelmed with sorrow, fainted and fell back on the golden couch.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha (king)
• Golden couch (paryaṅka hemabhūṣita)

FAQs

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

The verse shows the human cost when dharma (a pledged promise) collides with parental love—ethical life can demand painful consequences even for a righteous king.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha, unable to bear the outcome of the boons and Rāma’s exile, collapses in grief.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not virtue but vulnerability: Daśaratha’s intense sorrow underscores the gravity of truth-bound obligations.