Shloka 2.65.19

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

Devanagari script

ते च दृष्ट्वा तथा सुप्ते शुभे देव्यौ च तं नृपम्।सुप्तमेवोद्गतप्राणमन्तःपुरमदृश्यत।।।।

Transliteration

te ca dṛṣṭvā tathā supte śubhe devyau ca taṃ nṛpam |

suptam evodgataprāṇam antaḥpuram adṛśyata ||

Translation

Seeing the two noble queens asleep in that manner and the king as though merely sleeping—though his life-breath had departed—the women of the inner palace recognized that he had died in his sleep.

Context

Having seen the two auspicious queens asleep, the women in the inner apartment thought the king died in his sleep.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kauśalyā
• Sumitrā
• Antaḥpura (inner apartments)

FAQs

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

Satya (truth) is unavoidable: the household must now face the fact of the king’s death, which will demand righteous decisions about mourning, governance, and succession.

What is the narrative situation?

The inner-chamber attendants conclude that Daśaratha has died, even though his posture resembles ordinary sleep.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Clear-sighted recognition of reality—accepting the truth so that proper rites and duties (dharma) can follow.