Shloka 2.40.51

प्रयाणवर्णनम् (Departure from Ayodhya; Civic Lament and the Chariot’s Urgency)

Devanagari script

तेषां वचः सर्वगुणोपपन्नंप्रस्विन्नगात्रः प्रविषण्णरूपः।निशम्य राजा कृपणः सभार्योव्यवस्थितस्तं सुतमीक्षमाणः।।।।

Transliteration

teṣāṁ vacaḥ sarvaguṇopapannaṁ

prasvinnagātraḥ praviṣaṇṇarūpaḥ |

niśamya rājā kṛpaṇaḥ sabhāryo

vyavasthitas taṁ sutam īkṣamāṇaḥ ||

Translation

Hearing their words—sound and well-endowed with good counsel—the king, wretched with grief, stood there with his queens: his limbs sweating, his face cast down, his gaze fixed upon his son.

Context

Dasaratha and his wives, overcome with grief, heard their words steeped in virtue(wisdom). The king stood there with his perspiring body and melancholic appearance, fixing his gaze on his son.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē catvāriṅśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the fortieth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• queens (wives of Daśaratha)
• Rāma (implied as 'son')
• ministers (implied as speakers of counsel)

FAQs

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

Dharma is portrayed through endurance: even amid intense sorrow, the king restrains himself and remains outwardly composed, reflecting the burden of royal responsibility.

What is the narrative situation?

After receiving ministerial counsel, Daśaratha—along with his queens—stands overwhelmed, watching his son at the moment of separation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Forbearance under suffering: the verse highlights the king’s human grief while implying the need to uphold decorum and duty.