Shloka 2.33.13

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

Devanagari script

तस्मात्तस्योपघातेन प्रजाः परमपीडिताः।औदकानीव सत्त्वानि ग्रीष्मे सलिलसङ्क्षयात्।।।।

Transliteration

tasmāt tasyopaghātena prajāḥ paramapīḍitāḥ | audakānīva sattvāni grīṣme salilasaṅkṣayāt ||

Translation

Therefore, at the injury done to him, the people are grievously distressed—like aquatic creatures in summer when the waters have dried away.

Context

Therefore, people are deeply pained to see Rama afflicted. They look like aquatic creatures in summer when the water dries up.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• people (prajā)
• summer (grīṣma)
• water (salila)
• aquatic beings (audaka-sattva)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as interdependence between ruler and society: when the righteous center is harmed, the community’s well-being withers.

What is the narrative situation?

The citizens express how Rāma’s exile feels like a life-source removed, using a vivid ecological simile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s sustaining presence as a dhārmic figure—his virtue is portrayed as essential nourishment for public life.