Shloka 2.42.15

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

Devanagari script

यः सुखेषूपधानेषु शेते चन्दनरूषितः।वीज्यमानो महार्हाभिः स्त्रीभिर्मम सुतोत्तमः।।।।स नूनं क्वचिदेवाद्य वृक्षमूलमुपाश्रितः।काष्ठं वा यदि वाश्मानमुपधाय शयिष्यते।।।।

Transliteration

yaḥ sukheṣūpadhāneṣu śete candanarūṣitaḥ | vījyamāno mahārhābhiḥ strībhir mama sutottamaḥ || sa nūnaṃ kvacid evādya vṛkṣamūlam upāśritaḥ | kāṣṭhaṃ vā yadi vāśmānam upadhāya śayiṣyate ||

Translation

My best of sons—who once lay upon soft cushions, anointed with sandalpaste and fanned by noble women—will surely now sleep somewhere, taking shelter at the foot of a tree, resting his head on a log or even a stone.

Context

Rama, the best of all my sons who, smeared with sandalpaste and fanned by graceful women used to sleep (with his head) on comfortable cushions will surely, from now on, lie down somewhere at the foot of a tree, (his head) pillowed upon a piece of wood or stone.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Rāma
• Forest (vana)

FAQs

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

Dharma is portrayed as renunciation for truth and duty: Rāma accepts hardship in place of royal comfort, embodying steadfastness to a higher obligation.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha imagines the contrast between Rāma’s former palace life and his imminent forest life—sleeping under trees with crude supports.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s endurance and willingness to sacrifice comfort to uphold satya (truthfulness) and dharma.