Shloka 2.49.5

एकोनपञ्चाशः सर्गः (Sarga 49): Rāma’s Night Journey Beyond Kosala and the Charioteer Address

Devanagari script

राजानं धिग्दशरथं कामस्य वशमागतम्।।2.49.4।।हा नृशंसाद्य कैकेयी पापा पापानुबन्धिनी।तीक्ष्णा सम्भिन्नमर्यादा तीक्ष्णकर्मणि वर्तते।।2.49.5।।या पुत्रमीदृशं राज्ञः प्रवासयति धार्मिकम्।वनवासे महाप्राज्ञं सानुक्रोशं जितेन्द्रियम्।।2.49.6।।

Transliteration

hā nṛśaṃsā ’dya kaikeyī pāpā pāpānubandhinī |

tīkṣṇā sambhinnamaryādā tīkṣṇakarmaṇi vartate ||

Translation

“Alas—today that pitiless Kaikeyī, sinful and devoted to sin, has broken all bounds of decorum and is intent on a cruel deed.”

Context

(The villagers were speaking among themselves) Fie on the king who is overtaken by passion Alas, the heartless, sinful Kaikeyi, indulging in evil has banished into the forest this prince who is righteous and sagacious, compassionate and selfrestrained. How could this cruel Kaikeyi, by breaking all limits of decorum resort to such atrocious action?

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī

FAQs

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

Maryādā (moral and social limits) must restrain power and desire; cruelty that violates decorum is portrayed as adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Ordinary people react to the decision to exile Rāma, focusing their condemnation on Kaikeyī’s harshness and breach of propriety.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast, the verse implicitly values compassion and restraint—qualities Kaikeyī is accused of lacking.