Shloka 2.42.2

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

Devanagari script

यावद्राजा प्रियं पुत्रं पश्यत्यत्यन्तधार्मिकम्।तावद्व्यवर्धते वास्य धरण्यां पुत्रदर्शने।।।।

Transliteration

yāvad rājā priyaṃ putraṃ paśyaty atyantadhārmikam | tāvad vyavardhate vāsyā dharaṇyāṃ putradarśane ||

Translation

As long as the king could still behold his beloved son—perfectly righteous in dharma—it was as though he rose up from the very earth, eager for the sight of his son.

Context

So long as king Dasaratha was able to see his exceedingly virtuous and beloved son (Rama), it appeared that his body kept rising from the earth to have a sight of his son.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Rāma

FAQs

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

The verse frames Rāma as ‘atyantadhārmika’—a benchmark of righteousness—showing how dharma inspires reverence and longing even in those left behind.

What is the narrative situation?

While Rāma is still within sight, Daśaratha strains upward as if physically lifted from the ground, desperate to keep seeing him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s exemplary dharma is foregrounded; Daśaratha’s intense paternal love is shown through bodily imagery.