Shloka 2.61.5

कौसल्याविलापः — Kausalya’s Lament and Ethical Analogies on Kingship

Devanagari script

भुक्त्वाऽशनं विशालाक्षी सूपदं शान्वितं शुभम्।वन्यं नैवारमाहारं कथं सीतोपभोक्ष्यते।।2.61.5।।

Transliteration

bhuktvāśanaṃ viśālākṣī sūpadaṃ śānvitaṃ śubham | vanyaṃ naivāram āhāraṃ kathaṃ sītopabhokṣyate || 2.61.5 ||

Translation

Sītā, large-eyed and used to fine meals with soups and seasonings—how will she eat forest fare made of wild rice?

Context

How can the large-eyed Sita having enjoyed delicious food mixed with condiments and soup now partake the food prepared with wild grains?

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Forest (vana)
• Naivāra (wild rice)

FAQs

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

The verse contrasts royal comfort with ascetic hardship to question whether the imposed exile is ethically warranted; dharma is presented as accountable for real human consequences, not just formal obedience.

What is the narrative situation?

Kausalyā imagines Sītā’s dietary deprivation in the forest, emphasizing the severity of the exile’s material austerities.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s willingness to share Rāma’s fate is implied, pointing to devotion and endurance.