Shloka 2.21.52

अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः — Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā

Devanagari script

किं जीवितेनेह विना त्वया मेलोकेन वा किं स्वधयाऽमृतेन।श्रेयो मुहूर्तं तव सन्निधानं ममेह कृत्स्नादपि जीवलोकात्।।2.21.52।।

Transliteration

kiṃ jīvitena iha vinā tvayā me

lokena vā kiṃ svadhayā amṛtena |

śreyo muhūrtaṃ tava sannidhānaṃ

mama iha kṛtsnād api jīvalokāt || 2.21.52 ||

Translation

What use is life here to me without you? What use are heaven, the offerings to the ancestors, or even nectar? For me, even one moment of your presence is better than this entire world of living beings without you.

Context

What is the purpose of my life in this world without you? What purpose do I have with the other world or with the oblations (offered to manes) or with nectar (availble to the gods). I would prefer one moment in your company to the whole world of living beings (without you).

Characters & Entities

• Kausalya
• Rama
• svadhā (ancestral oblation)
• amṛta (nectar)

FAQs

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

The verse dramatizes the conflict between personal attachment and dharmic duty; it shows how powerful love can challenge acceptance of a righteous course.

What is the narrative situation?

Kausalya pleads emotionally, declaring that neither this world nor the next has value for her without Rama.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Deep maternal devotion—though it also highlights the human difficulty of detachment when dharma demands separation.