Shloka 2.42.8

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

Devanagari script

अगृह्णां यच्च ते पाणिमग्निं पर्यणयं च यत्।अनुजानामि तत्सर्वमस्मिन् लोके परत्र च।।।।

Transliteration

agṛhṇāṃ yac ca te pāṇim agniṃ paryaṇayaṃ ca yat | anujānāmi tat sarvam asmin loke paratra ca ||

Translation

I hereby renounce entirely the marital bond with you—formed by taking your hand and by circumambulating the sacred fire—both in this world and in the world beyond.

Context

I renounce the relationship established with you through marriage by taking your hand and circumambulating the fire, both in this world and in the next.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kaikeyī
• Agni (sacred fire)
• pāṇigrahaṇa (hand-taking rite)
• agni-parikramā (circumambulation of fire)

FAQs

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

It highlights the gravity of saṃskāra-based bonds (marriage witnessed by Agni) and shows how grief and moral outrage can drive a speaker to reject even sacredly established relationships—raising questions about restraint, speech-ethics, and the sanctity of vows.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha, devastated by the exile of Rāma and blaming Kaikeyī’s demands, speaks harshly and declares that he renounces the marital relationship formed through the wedding rites.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse foregrounds Daśaratha’s intense emotional sincerity and his sense of violated righteousness—though it also implicitly contrasts with the virtue of self-control (dama) expected in dhārmic speech.