Shloka 2.61.6

कौसल्याविलापः — Kausalya’s Lament and Ethical Analogies on Kingship

Devanagari script

गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषं श्रुत्वा शुभमनिन्दिता।कथं क्रव्यादसिंहानां शब्दं श्रोष्यत्यशोभनम्।।2.61.6।।

Transliteration

gītavāditranirghoṣaṃ śrutvā śubham aninditā | kathaṃ kravyādasiṃhānāṃ śabdaṃ śroṣyaty aśobhanam || 2.61.6 ||

Translation

Accustomed to the auspicious sounds of songs and instruments, how will blameless Sītā bear to hear the inauspicious cries of lions and other flesh-eaters?

Context

How can the blameless Sita, used to the soft sound of songs and musicalinstruments hear the frightful roars of lions and other carnivorous animals?

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Lions (siṃha)
• Carnivores (kravyāda)
• Forest (vana)

FAQs

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

Dharma is evaluated through the lens of harm: Kausalyā underscores that righteous policy should not inflict terror and insecurity upon the innocent; ethical action must consider psychological suffering as well.

What is the narrative situation?

Continuing her lament, Kausalyā contrasts palace music with the frightening sounds of the wilderness to portray the exile’s emotional cost to Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s purity (aninditā) and the courage she must summon in order to remain aligned with Rāma’s dharmic path.