Shloka 2.61.8

कौसल्याविलापः — Kausalya’s Lament and Ethical Analogies on Kingship

Devanagari script

पद्मवर्णं सुकेशान्तं पद्मनिश्श्वासमुत्तमम्।कदा द्रक्ष्यामि रामस्य वदनं पुष्करेक्षणम्।।2.61.8।।

Transliteration

padma-varṇaṃ su-keśāntaṃ padma-niśśvāsaṃ uttamam | kadā drakṣyāmi rāmasya vadanaṃ puṣkarekṣaṇam || 2.61.8 ||

Translation

When shall I again behold Rāma’s excellent face—lotus-hued, framed by beautiful hair, with lotus-fragrant breath, and eyes like blue lotuses?

Context

When shall I see Rama with his lotus-hued face, his beautiful locks of hair, breath of lotus fragrance and eyes like blue lotus?

Characters & Entities

• Rama

FAQs

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

It reflects the dharmic ideal that virtue and beauty are harmonized in Rama; longing for his presence becomes longing for the visible embodiment of righteousness.

What is the narrative situation?

Kausalya mourns Rama’s absence and recalls his features, asking when she will see him again.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s auspiciousness and purity (inner virtue expressed outwardly) are emphasized through idealized imagery.