Shloka 2.42.16

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।।2.42.15।।स नूनं क्वचिदेवाद्य वृक्षमूलमुपाश्रितः।काष्ठं वा यदि वाश्मानमुपधाय शयिष्यते।।2.42.16।।

Transliteration

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

Translation

This lament is repeated: the son once accustomed to sandalpaste, cushions, and gentle service will now surely sleep beneath a tree, using wood or stone as a pillow.

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?

The repetition intensifies the dharmic theme: true commitment to duty is measured by readiness to bear discomfort without resentment.

What is the narrative situation?

A repeated/continued lament in the transmission: Daśaratha dwells on the impending austerity of Rāma’s forest life.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s ascetic resilience (titikṣā) and Daśaratha’s tender, truthful grief.