Shloka 2.42.18

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

Devanagari script

द्रक्ष्यन्ति नूनं पुरुषा दीर्घबाहुं वनेचराः।राममुत्थाय गच्छन्तं लोकनाथमनाथवत्।।।।

Transliteration

drakṣyanti nūnaṃ puruṣā dīrghabāhuṃ vanecarāḥ | rāmam utthāya gacchantaṃ lokanātham anāthavat ||

Translation

Surely the forest-dwellers will look upon long-armed Rāma—lord of the people—as he rises and walks on, as though he had no protector.

Context

Surely the forest-rovers will be gazing upon the long-armed Rama, protector of the world, as he rises (from the ground) and wanders in the jungle unprotected.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Rāma
• Forest-dwellers (vanecarāḥ)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the paradox of dharma: the rightful protector of the world accepts a condition of apparent helplessness to uphold truth and duty.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha imagines how strangers in the forest will witness Rāma—normally a ‘lokanātha’—moving about like an unprotected exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s humility and obedience to righteous obligation, even when it diminishes outward status.