Shloka 2.38.10

अयोध्याकाण्डे अष्टत्रिंशः सर्गः — Sita in Bark Garments; Public Outcry and Dasaratha’s Lament

Devanagari script

ननु पर्याप्त मेतत्ते पापे रामविवासनम्।किमेभिः कृपणैर्भूय: पातकैरपि ते कृतैः।।।।

Transliteration

nanu paryāptam etat te pāpe rāmavivāsanam | kim ebhiḥ kṛpaṇair bhūyaḥ pātakair api te kṛtaiḥ || 2.38.10 ||

Translation

“O wicked woman, is not Rāma’s banishment enough for you? Why do you still commit these wretched, sinful deeds?”

Context

Rama's exile, O wicked woman, is enough for you. What are you committing further heinous crimes for?

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Rāma
• exile (vivāsana)

FAQs

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

Dharma as moral restraint: wrongdoing should not compound; the verse condemns cruelty that continues even after achieving its aim.

What is the narrative situation?

The public, seeing the consequences of exile, directly rebukes Kaikeyī for escalating harm.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral protest: the citizens’ courage to denounce perceived injustice.