Shloka 2.39.2
एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः — Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma
रामस्य तु वचः शृत्वा मुनिवेशधरं च तम्।समीक्ष्य सह भार्याभी राजा विगतचेतनः।।2.39.1।।नैनं दुःखेन सन्तप्तः प्रत्यवैक्षत राघवम्।न चैनमभिसम्प्रेक्ष्य प्रत्यभाषत दुर्मनाः।।2.39.2।।
nainaṁ duḥkhena santaptaḥ pratyavaikṣata rāghavam |
na cainam abhisamprekṣya pratyabhāṣata durmanāḥ || 2.39.2 ||
Tormented by grief, the king could not look at Rāghava; and even when he gazed upon him, his mind cast down, he could not reply.
After hearing Rama and beholding him in the robes of an ascetic, Dasaratha and his wives fell unconscious. With his body and mind afflicted with grief, Dasaratha could not look Rama in the face nor could he make a reply.
The verse highlights how overwhelming sorrow can temporarily disable a ruler’s capacity to respond, even when Dharma demands composure; it implicitly contrasts human vulnerability with the ideal of steadiness (dhairya) in duty.
After Rāma appears in ascetic guise following the decision of exile, Daśaratha is struck by grief and becomes unable to meet Rāma’s gaze or answer him.
Rāma’s restraint is implied by the scene, while Daśaratha’s deep paternal attachment is foregrounded; the episode invites reflection on the virtue of emotional endurance amid Dharma-driven separation.