Shloka 2.39.10

एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः — Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma

Devanagari script

औपवाह्यं रथं युक्त्वा त्वमायाहि हयोत्तमैः।प्रापयैनं महाभागमितो जनपदात्परम्।।2.39.10।।

Transliteration

aupavāhyaṃ rathaṃ yuktvā tvam āyāhi hayottamaiḥ | prāpayainaṃ mahābhāgam ito janapadāt param || 2.39.10 ||

Translation

Harness the finest horses to a chariot fit for travel; come at once, and convey this high-souled Rāma from here to a place beyond the city limits.

Context

Harness the finest horses to the chariot suitable for the journey, drive this magnanimous Rama to a place outside the city, and come back.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Sumantra
• Rāma
• chariot
• horses
• Ayodhyā (implied by janapada)

FAQs

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

Royal duty is executed through orderly command and responsible logistics: even painful decisions are carried out with procedural clarity, reflecting rajadharma and adherence to declared intent.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha instructs Sumantra to prepare a travel-ready chariot with excellent horses and to take Rāma beyond the inhabited area as the exile is being set in motion.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s sense of kingship and decisiveness in issuing commands (even amid inner conflict) is foregrounded.