Shloka 2.65.20

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

Devanagari script

ततः प्रचुक्रुशुर्दीना स्सस्वरं ता वराङ्गनाः।करेणव इवारण्ये स्थानप्रच्युतयूथपाः।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ pracukruśur dīnāḥ sasvaraṃ tā varāṅganāḥ | kareṇava ivāraṇye sthānapracyutayūthapāḥ ||

Translation

Then those noble women wailed aloud in distress, like female elephants in the forest when the leader of their herd has been driven from his place.

Context

Then those women bewailed bitterly and loudly in distress like female elephants in the forest when their leader has fallen out of the herd.

Characters & Entities

• palace women (varāṅganāḥ)
• forest (araṇya)
• female elephants (kareṇavaḥ)
• herd-leader (yūthapa)

FAQs

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

It underscores the fragility of worldly support: when the protector (king/leader) falls, dependents suffer. Dharma here is the implied duty of protection in kingship and the human cost when that support ends.

What is the narrative situation?

The palace women begin to cry out loudly after realizing the calamity in the royal household—Daśaratha’s passing and the ensuing shock.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not a single virtue of one character, but the verse highlights the social role of a righteous ruler as a stabilizing center, analogous to a herd-leader.