Shloka 2.20.36

अयोध्याकाण्डे विंशः सर्गः — Rama Enters Kauśalyā’s Antaḥpura; Ritual Preparations and the Shock of Exile

Devanagari script

यदि पुत्र न जायेथा मम शोकाय राघव।न स्म दुःखमतो भूयः पश्येयमहमप्रजाः।।।।

Transliteration

yadi putra na jāyethā mama śokāya rāghava | na sma duḥkham ato bhūyaḥ paśyeyam aham aprajāḥ ||

Translation

O son, O Rāghava—had you not been born to me only to bring this sorrow, then even as a woman without children I would not have had to behold grief greater than this.

Context

O my son, if you were not born to me, I, even as a woman without progeny, would not have experienced grief, more intense than this.

Characters & Entities

• Kausalyā
• Rāma

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the human cost that dharma can entail: Rāma’s adherence to truth and duty precipitates intense maternal suffering, showing that righteousness may demand painful sacrifice.

What is the narrative situation?

Kausalyā reacts to the impending exile by expressing that this grief surpasses even the sorrow traditionally associated with childlessness.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s implied commitment to satya and duty (even when it causes personal pain to loved ones) frames the background of Kausalyā’s lament.