Shloka 2.61.28

कौसल्याविलापः — Kausalya’s Lament and Ethical Analogies on Kingship

Devanagari script

न हि मेऽस्ति त्वया कार्यं वनं रामो गतोऽश्रयत् । न चाहं गन्तुमिच्छामि हतास्मि सर्वथा त्वया ॥

Transliteration

na hi me'sti tvayā kāryaṃ vanaṃ rāmo gato'śrayat | na cāhaṃ gantumicchāmi hatāsmi sarvathā tvayā ||

Translation

Truly, I have no purpose with you any longer. Rama has taken refuge in the forest, and I do not wish to go there. In every way, I have been ruined by you.

Context

You are non-existent for my purpose. Rama has taken refuge in the forest and I do not like to go there. You have destroyed me in all possible ways.

Characters & Entities

• Kausalya
• Dasharatha
• Rama
• Vana

FAQs

Why does Kausalya declare she has no purpose with Dasharatha?

Overwhelmed by the grief of Rama's exile, Kausalya feels betrayed by Dasharatha's decision to uphold his boon to Kaikeyi over the welfare of their son, leading her to feel emotionally severed from her husband.

What aspect of Dharma is highlighted in this conflict?

This verse highlights the conflict between 'Raja Dharma' (king's duty to keep his word) and the familial duty towards a son and wife, resulting in immense personal suffering and the breakdown of family relationships.