Shloka 2.58.8

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

Devanagari script

व्यालैर्मृगैराचरितं कृष्णसर्पनिषेवितम्।कथं कुमारौ वैदेह्या सार्धं वन मुपस्थितौ।।।।

Transliteration

vyālair mṛgair ācaritaṃ kṛṣṇa-sarpa-niṣevitam |

kathaṃ kumārau vaidehyā sārdhaṃ vanam upasthitau ||

Translation

How can the two princes, together with Vaidehī, remain in a forest roamed by wild beasts and animals, and frequented by black serpents?

Context

How can the two young men along with Vaidehi live in the forest infested with black cobras and wicked, wild animals?

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Sītā (Vaidehī)
• forest (vana)
• black serpents (kṛṣṇa-sarpa)

FAQs

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

Dharma here highlights responsibility and protection: the rightful concern for the safety of vulnerable companions (especially Sītā) amid hardship, even while honoring vows and truth.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha imagines the dangers of the wilderness and worries about Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa living there with Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Lakṣmaṇa’s protective loyalty and Rāma’s guardianship—virtues of duty toward family and dependents under adverse conditions.