Shloka 2.42.13

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

Devanagari script

विललाप च दुःखार्तः प्रियं पुत्रमनुस्मरन्।नगरान्तमनुप्राप्तं बुध्वा पुत्रमथाब्रवीत्।।।।

Transliteration

vilalāpa ca duḥkhārtaḥ priyaṃ putram anusmaran | nagarāntam anuprāptaṃ budhvā putram athābravīt ||

Translation

Tormented by sorrow, he lamented, remembering his beloved son; and realizing that his son had reached the city’s boundary, he then spoke.

Context

The grief-stricken king began to lament thinking of his beloved son, and (suddenly) realizing that his son had crossed the limits of the city, said:

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Rāma
• Ayodhyā (implied by 'city')

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as responsibility bound to reality: the king recognizes the irreversible step (crossing the city सीमा), and must now respond within dharmic limits rather than mere impulse.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha realizes Rāma has gone beyond Ayodhyā’s outskirts; overwhelmed, he begins speaking aloud in lament.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Awareness and accountability—Daśaratha’s recognition of the moment marks the gravity of the exile and his own helplessness.