Shloka 2.33.11

त्रयस्त्रिंशः सर्गः — Civic Lament and Rama’s Dutiful Approach to Daśaratha

Devanagari script

निर्गुणस्यापि पुत्रस्य कथं स्याद्विप्रवासनम्।किं पुनर्यस्य लोकोऽयं जितो वृत्तेन केवलम्।।।।

Transliteration

nirguṇasyāpi putrasya kathaṃ syād vipravāsanam | kiṃ punar yasya loko ’yaṃ jito vṛttena kevalam ||

Translation

How could even a son without virtues be sent away into exile? How much less Rāma, who has won over this whole world by conduct alone.

Context

Even a son who is bereft of virtues cannot be banished, what to say about Rama, who by good conduct alone has conquered the world.

Characters & Entities

• son (implicitly Rāma)
• world/people (loka)

FAQs

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

Dharma is tied to śīla (upright conduct): society’s legitimacy rests on recognizing virtue, and punishing or exiling the virtuous is seen as a moral inversion.

What is the narrative situation?

The public argues that exile is unjust—if it is hard to justify even for an unworthy son, it is unthinkable for Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s exemplary conduct (vṛtta/śīla), which earns universal respect without coercion.