Shloka 2.58.3

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

Devanagari script

अथ सूतो महाराजं कृताञ्जलिरुपस्थितः।राममेवानुशोचन्तं दुःखशोकसमन्वितम्।।2.58.2।।वृद्धं परमसन्तप्तं नवग्रहमिव द्विपम्।विनिश्वसन्तं ध्यायन्तमस्वस्थ मिव कुङञरम्।।2.58.3।।

Transliteration

atha sūto mahārājaṃ kṛtāñjalir upasthitaḥ | rāmam evānuśocantaṃ duḥkhaśokasamanvitam ||

vṛddhaṃ paramasantaptaṃ navagraham iva dvipam | viniśvasantaṃ dhyāyantam asvastham iva kuñjaram ||

Translation

Then the charioteer approached the great king with folded hands. The aged monarch, overwhelmed by grief and sorrow, lamented only for Rāma—brooding and sighing deeply, like a newly captured, ailing elephant.

Context

Then the charioteer with folded palms approached the king who, deeply afflicted with grief and pain, was brooding over Rama alone. Aged Dasaratha was heaving deep sighs like a newlycaptured, indisposed elephant.

Characters & Entities

• Sumantra (sūta)
• Daśaratha
• Rāma

FAQs

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

It highlights the human cost when dharma and royal decisions fracture family bonds—grief becomes a consequence of moral and political rupture.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra comes to Daśaratha, who is devastated and continually thinking of Rāma after the exile decision.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s deep paternal attachment (though painful here), showing the epic’s realism about emotion within dharmic crises.