Shloka 2.61.9

कौसल्याविलापः — Kausalya’s Lament and Ethical Analogies on Kingship

Devanagari script

वज्रसारमयं नूनं हृदयं मे न संशयः।अपश्यन्त्या न तं यद्वै फलतीदं सहस्रधा।।2.61.9।।

Transliteration

vajra-sāramayaṃ nūnaṃ hṛdayaṃ me na saṃśayaḥ | apaśyantyā na taṃ yad vai phalatīdaṃ sahasradhā || 2.61.9 ||

Translation

Surely my heart is made of vajra—there is no doubt—for though I do not see him, it still does not shatter into a thousand pieces.

Context

No doubt my heart must be made of thunderbolt, since unable to see Rama it does not split into a thousand pieces.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Vajra (thunderbolt, as metaphor)

FAQs

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

It shows the dharmic tension between personal anguish and moral endurance—one continues living and bearing pain even when the heart feels it should break.

What is the narrative situation?

Kausalya, separated from Rama, expresses astonishment that her heart survives the unbearable grief of not seeing him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kausalya’s capacity to endure sorrow (kṣamā/forbearance and inner strength) is highlighted, even in lament.