Shloka 2.65.14

अयोध्याकाण्डे पञ्चषष्टितमः सर्गः — Daśaratha’s Death Discovered in the Palace (Morning Rites Turn to Lament)

Devanagari script

ताः स्त्रियस्स्वप्नशीलज्ञाश्चेष्टासञ्चलनादिषुता वेपथुपरीताश्च राज्ञः प्राणेषु शङ्किताः।प्रतिस्रोतस्तृणाग्राणां सदृशं सञ्चकाशिरे।।।।

Transliteration

tāḥ striyaḥ svapnaśīlajñāś ceṣṭāsañcalanādiṣu |

tā vepathuparītāś ca rājñaḥ prāṇeṣu śaṅkitāḥ |

pratisrotastṛṇāgrāṇāṃ sadṛśaṃ sañcakāśire ||

Translation

Those women, skilled in discerning the signs of sleep from movement and other marks, trembled violently, fearing for the king’s very life—like reed-tips standing against the current.

Context

Those women knowledgeable in ascertaining the nature of sleep based on the actions, movements, etc. were apprehensive whether the king was alive or not. Trembling severely they seemed like the tips of reeds that stand against the current.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Dharma is the humane concern for another’s well-being: their trained attention turns into compassionate alarm when signs of life are absent.

What is the narrative situation?

The attendants realize the king’s condition is abnormal; their expertise in observing sleep fails to find reassuring signs, and fear intensifies.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Careful discernment (viveka) joined with empathy—reading subtle signs responsibly rather than ignoring danger.