Shloka 2.39.9

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

Devanagari script

संज्ञां तु प्रतिलभ्यैव मुहूर्तात्स महीपतिः।नेत्राभ्यामश्रुपूर्णाभ्यां सुमन्त्रमिदमब्रवीत्।।2.39.9।।

Transliteration

muraja-paṇava-megha-ghoṣavad daśaratha-veśma babhūva yat purā | vilapita-paridevanākulaṃ vyasana-gataṃ tad abhūt su-duḥkhitam || 2.39.41 ||

Translation

Daśaratha’s palace, once resounding like thunderclouds with the sounds of mṛdaṅgas and paṇavas, was now, overtaken by calamity, utterly sorrowful, filled with wailing and lamentation.

Context

Regaining his senses in a moment, the king, with eyes filled with tears, said to Sumantra:

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Daśaratha’s palace

FAQs

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

Impermanence of worldly splendor: royal joy and celebration can swiftly turn to lament when dharma-driven events (exile, truth-keeping) unfold.

What is the narrative situation?

The sarga closes with a stark contrast: the once-festive palace becomes a place of collective mourning due to the exile crisis.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not a single virtue, but the epic’s moral atmosphere: dharma’s weight transforms an entire community’s emotional state.