Shloka 2.58.19

अष्टपञ्चाशः सर्गः (Sarga 58) — Daśaratha Questions Sumantra; Messages from the Forest Threshold

Devanagari script

अभिमानं च मानं च त्यक्त्वा वर्तस्व मातृषु।अनु राजानमार्यां च कैकेयीमम्ब कारय।।।।

Transliteration

dharmanityā yathākālam agnyagāra-parā bhava |

devi devasya pādau ca devavat paripālaya ||

Translation

O lady, be ever steadfast in Dharma; at the proper times attend to the rites in the fire-chamber; and serve the feet of your lord as you would serve a god.

Context

'O mother, conduct yourself with other mothers without pride and egoism. Ensure that venerable Kaikeyi remains welldisposed towards the king.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Kauśalyā
• Daśaratha
• Agnyagāra (sacrificial fire chamber)

FAQs

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

Steadfast household dharma: timely ritual responsibility and faithful service to one’s rightful lord are presented as stabilizing moral duties during upheaval.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma instructs Kauśalyā to continue religious observances and to care for Daśaratha with reverence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kauśalyā’s expected virtues of constancy, ritual discipline, and loyal care are emphasized through Rāma’s counsel.