Shloka 2.43.1

कौशल्याविलापः — Kausalya’s Lament and the Vision of Rama’s Return

Devanagari script

ततः समीक्ष्य शयने सन्नं शोकेन पार्थिवम्।कौशल्या पुत्रशोकार्ता तमुवाच महीपतिम्।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ samīkṣya śayane sannaṃ śokena pārthivam | kauśalyā putraśokārtā tam uvāca mahīpatim ||

Translation

Then Kausalyā—stricken with grief for her son—looked upon the king lying on the couch, exhausted by sorrow, and spoke to that lord of the earth.

Context

Struck by the grief of her son's departure, Kausalya looked at the king who lay on the couch completely exhausted and said to him.

Characters & Entities

• Kauśalyā
• Daśaratha
• Ayodhyā (implicit court setting)

FAQs

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

It presents dharma as compassionate presence in suffering: even amid personal loss, Kausalyā approaches the grieving king, modeling relational duty and humane care within the royal family.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rāma’s departure, Daśaratha collapses in sorrow; Kausalyā, herself anguished, comes to him and begins to speak.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kausalyā’s compassion and steadiness: she is afflicted, yet she engages responsibly with the crisis rather than withdrawing.