Shloka 2.58.5

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

Devanagari script

क्वनु वत्स्यति धर्मात्मा वृक्षमूलमुपाश्रितः।सोऽत्यन्तसुखित स्सूत किमशिष्यति राघवः।।।।

Transliteration

udvīkṣamāṇā bhartāraṃ mukhena pariśuṣyatā |

mumoca sahasā bāṣpaṃ māṃ prayāntam udīkṣya sā ||

Translation

Seeing me about to depart, she looked toward her husband with a face gone dry and pale, and suddenly she released a flood of tears.

Context

O charioteer Rama is rightous and he is acustoomed to all sorts of comfort. Taking refuge at the foot of a tree how shall he live and what shall he eat?

Characters & Entities

• Sita
• Rama
• Sumantra
• Dasharatha

FAQs

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

Dharma is lived through endurance: Sita’s tears do not negate duty, but reveal the human cost of righteous choices.

What is the narrative situation?

As Sumantra turns back toward Ayodhya, Sita reacts with sudden grief, looking to Rama.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sita’s steadfast marital devotion (pativratā-bhāva) expressed amid intense separation.