Shloka 2.42.1

द्विचत्वारिंशः सर्गः — दशरथस्य शोक-विलापः तथा कौशल्यागृह-प्रवेशः (Dasaratha’s Lament and Return to Kausalya’s Apartments)

Devanagari script

यावत्तु निर्यतस्तस्य रजोरूपमदृश्यत।नैवेक्ष्वाकुवरस्तावत्सञ्जहारात्मचक्षुषी।।।।

Transliteration

yāvat tu niryatas tasya rajorūpam adṛśyata |

naivekṣvākuvaras tāvat sañjahārātmacakṣuṣī || 2.42.1 ||

Translation

So long as the dust-cloud raised by him as he departed remained visible, Daśaratha—the best of the Ikṣvākus—could not draw back his eyes from it.

Context

As long as the dust raised by the wheels of the chariot of Rama (who was departing to the forest) was visible, Dasaratha, the best of the Ikshvakus, could not withdraw his eyes (from Rama).

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Daśaratha
• Ikṣvāku dynasty
• rajas (dust)

FAQs

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

It presents the emotional cost of dharma-bound decisions: even a king who upholds a pledge experiences profound personal suffering, revealing dharma’s gravity beyond abstract rule.

What is the narrative situation?

As Rāma departs, Daśaratha keeps staring until even the dust of the chariot is no longer visible.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s deep paternal love and the sincerity of his anguish—his gaze cannot detach from the last trace of his son.