Shloka 2.53.8

पञ्चाशत्तमः सर्गः (Sarga 53) — Rāma’s Lament, Vigil for Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa’s Consolation

Devanagari script

अनाथश्च हि वृद्धश्च मया चैव विनाकृतः।किं करिष्यति कामात्मा कैकेयी वशमागतः।।।।

Transliteration

anāthaś ca hi vṛddhaś ca mayā caiva vinākṛtaḥ | kiṃ kariṣyati kāmātmā kaikeyīvaśam āgataḥ ||

Translation

For he is old and, separated from me, left helpless—what can the king do, being desire-led and fallen under Kaikeyī’s control?

Context

That lustful king, having come under the hold of Kaikeyi, has been deprived of my presence. What can that forlorn and aged king do?

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Daśaratha (implied king)
• Kaikeyī
• kāma (desire)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires guarding the mind: when a ruler becomes governed by desire and influence, he loses agency and fails in protective duty.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma laments his father’s vulnerability—aged, separated from Rāma, and swayed by Kaikeyī—during the first night of exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Filial responsibility and compassion: Rāma’s pain is for his father’s welfare, not for lost power.