Shloka 2.36.22

अयोध्याकाण्डे षट्त्रिंशः सर्गः — Daśaratha’s orders for Rama’s escort; Kaikeyi’s fear; the Asamañjasa precedent

Devanagari script

डक्रीडतस्त्वेष नः पुत्रान् बालानुद्भ्रान्तचेतनः।सरय्वां प्रक्षिपन्मौर्ख्यादतुलां प्रीतिमश्नुते।।।।

Transliteration

ḍakrīḍatas tv eṣa naḥ putrān bālān udbhrānta-cetanaḥ | sarayvāṃ prakṣipan maurkhyād atulāṃ prītim aśnute ||2.36.22||

Translation

“This man, his mind deranged, throws our little sons—while they are at play—into the Sarayū; and out of sheer folly he derives incomparable pleasure from it.”

Context

That insane (Asamanjasa) while throwing our children who were playing around into Sarayu river in his insanity derived incomparable pleasure'.

Characters & Entities

• Sarayū
• Citizens' children
• Asamañja (implied as “this man”)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires safeguarding children and punishing cruelty. Pleasure taken in others’ suffering is identified as a grave moral disorder that society must not normalize.

What is the narrative situation?

The citizens explain the specific crime causing fear: their children are being thrown into the river by the king’s son.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The virtue highlighted by contrast is parental and civic protection—standing up to power to defend the helpless.