Shloka 2.53.9

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

Devanagari script

इदं व्यसनमालोक्य राज्ञश्च मतिविभ्रमम्।काम एवार्थधर्माभ्यां गरीयानिति मे मतिः।।।।

Transliteration

idaṃ vyasanam ālokya rājñaś ca mativibhramam | kāma evārthadharmābhyāṃ garīyān iti me matiḥ ||

Translation

Seeing this calamity and the king’s bewilderment of judgment, I conclude that desire alone outweighs both wealth and dharma.

Context

Reflecting on the calamity and mental aberration of the king, I think passion is stronger than wealth and righteousness.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Daśaratha (king, implied)
• kāma
• artha
• dharma

FAQs

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

Unchecked desire can overpower both material prudence (artha) and moral law (dharma); therefore dharma demands mastery over kāma.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma interprets the exile crisis as evidence of how desire can distort judgment even in a king, leading to disaster.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral insight and detachment: Rāma uses suffering as a lens to understand human weakness, rather than to seek revenge.