Shloka 2.24.6

कौशल्यारामसंवादः — Kausalya–Rama Dialogue on Exile-Dharma

Devanagari script

अयं तु मामात्मभव स्तवादर्शनमारुतः।विलापदुःखसमिधो रुदिताश्रुहुताहुतिः।।2.24.6।।चिन्ताबाष्पमहाधूमस्तवागमनचित्तजः। कर्शयित्वा भृशं पुत्र निश्वासायाससम्भवः।।2.24.7।।त्वया विहीनामिह मां शोकाग्निरतुलो महान्।प्रधक्ष्यति यथा कक्षं चित्रभानुर्हिमात्यये।।2.24.8।।

Transliteration

apīdānīṃ sa kālaḥ syād vanāt pratyāgataṃ punaḥ |

yat tvāṃ putraka paśyeyaṃ jaṭāvalkala-dhāriṇam || 2.24.37 ||

Translation

If only that time were today itself—when you return again from the forest, my dear child—so that I might see you wearing matted hair and bark-cloth.

Context

After your departure, O son, an incomparably huge fire of grief with sighs of exhaustion will burst from my body, fanned by the wind of your absence and fuelled by lamentation and affliction. My wailing tears will be the oblations. My anxiety will be the great smoke rising vapour. This fire of grief will leave me very much emaciated and burn me like fire burns a forest of dead trees or a bunch of dry grass in summer.

Characters & Entities

• Kausalyā
• Rāma
• Forest (vana)

FAQs

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

The verse normalizes renunciation undertaken for truth and duty: even ascetic marks (jaṭā, valkala) become signs of dharmic endurance, awaited with reverence and longing.

What is the narrative situation?

Kausalyā expresses a wish that the future day of Rāma’s return from exile were already here, imagining him in ascetic attire.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kausalyā’s hopeful perseverance; Rāma’s implied tapas-like discipline in accepting forest life.