Shloka 2.20.46

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

Devanagari script

तदक्षयं महद्दुःखं नोत्सहे सहितुं चिरम्।विप्रकारं सपत्नीनामेवं जीर्णाऽपि राघव।।।।

Transliteration

tad akṣayaṃ mahad duḥkhaṃ notsahe sahituṃ ciram | viprakāraṃ sapatnīnām evaṃ jīrṇāpi rāghava ||

Translation

Therefore, O Rāghava, aged as I am, I cannot endure for long this vast, unending grief—nor the humiliations inflicted by my co-wives.

Context

Therefore, O Rama, I cannot at this old age endure this great, endless sorrow and the insults from co-wives for long.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Kaikeyī

FAQs

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

It points to the limits of human endurance and the duty of compassion within family life; Dharma is violated when power is used to humiliate the vulnerable.

What is the narrative situation?

Kausalyā tells Rāma that the exile and the resulting social humiliation from rival queens have become unbearable, especially in her old age.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vulnerability paired with truthfulness—she openly acknowledges her frailty rather than masking it with pride.