Shloka 2.39.39

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

Devanagari script

वचनं राघवस्यैतध्दर्मयुक्तं समाहितम्।शुश्रुवुस्ताः स्त्रियंस्सर्वा श्शोकोपहतचेतसः।।2.39.39।।

Transliteration

na tv evānāgate kāle dehāc cyavati jīvitam | kaikeyyā kliśyamānasya mṛtyur mama na vidyate || 2.39.5 ||

Translation

“Unless the appointed time has arrived, life does not depart from the body. Though I am tormented by Kaikeyī, death does not come to me.”

Context

All the women with their senses afflicted by grief heard the virtuous and well-balanced words of the scion of the Raghu race:

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kaikeyī

FAQs

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

Acceptance of kāla (appointed time) and endurance: even in torment, one recognizes the limits of personal control and the unfolding of destiny.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha laments that despite unbearable distress caused by Kaikeyī’s demands, he remains alive because the destined moment of death has not come.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Forbearance under suffering—Daśaratha articulates a grim patience shaped by belief in ordained time.