Shloka 2.51.18

अयोध्याकाण्डे एकपञ्चाशः सर्गः — Guha’s Vigil and Lakṣmaṇa’s Lament (Night on the riverbank)

Devanagari script

विनष्टे नृपतौ पश्चात्कौसल्या विनशिष्यति।अनन्तरं च माताऽपि मम नाशमुपैष्यति।।।।

Transliteration

kathaṃ putraṃ mahātmānaṃ jyeṣṭhaṃ priyam apaśyataḥ | śarīraṃ dhārayiṣyanti prāṇā rājño mahātmanaḥ ||

Translation

How will the life-breaths of that noble king sustain his body, when he cannot behold his great-souled, beloved eldest son?

Context

Subsequent to the death of the king, Kausalya will die and my mother will follow her.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Filial duty and the dharmic bond between father and son: separation caused by unjust circumstances can become a moral and emotional catastrophe.

What is the narrative situation?

The speaker fears that Daśaratha may not survive the anguish of being deprived of Rāma’s presence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Empathy and gratitude—recognizing the father’s love and the cost of political wrongdoing.