Shloka 2.20.42

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

Devanagari script

अत्यन्तनिगृहीतास्मि भर्तुर्नित्यमतन्त्रिता।परिवारेण कैकेय्या स्समा वाप्यथवाऽवरा।।।।

Transliteration

atyantanigṛhītāsmi bhartur nityam atantritā | parivāreṇa kaikeyyāḥ samā vāpy athavā ’varā ||

Translation

I am utterly restrained and always without independence under my husband; I am treated as equal to—or even lower than—the attendants of Kaikeyī.

Context

Treating me as an equal or inferior to the attendants of Kaikeyi and making mealways dependent, my husband has greatly suppressed me.

Characters & Entities

• Kausalyā
• Rāma
• Daśaratha
• Kaikeyī
• Kaikeyī’s attendants

FAQs

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

It critiques adharmic governance within the household: when power aligns with favoritism, rightful dignity is violated, and dependence becomes a tool of suppression.

What is the narrative situation?

Kausalyā describes her diminished status at court due to Kaikeyī’s ascendancy and Daśaratha’s yielding to that influence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kausalyā’s truth-telling (satya in speech) is emphasized—she names the injustice plainly rather than disguising it.