Shloka 2.65.4

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

Devanagari script

ततस्तु स्तुवतां तेषां सूतानां पाणिवादकाः।अपदानान्युदाहृत्य पाणिवादा नवादयन्।।।।

Transliteration

tatas tu stuvatāṁ teṣāṁ sūtānāṁ pāṇivādakāḥ | apadānāny udāhṛtya pāṇivādā navādayan ||

Translation

Then, as those sūta bards sang, the palm-clappers kept the beat—reciting the king’s famed exploits and sounding their rhythmic claps.

Context

While the bards sang the praise of the king, those who praise clapping their palms clapped, citing the wonderful deeds of Dasaratha.

Characters & Entities

• sūta (bards/panegyrists)
• rājā (Daśaratha, implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma is supported by remembrance of worthy deeds: public recitation of a ruler’s apadāna functions as moral education and social validation of righteous kingship.

What is the narrative situation?

Court performers accompany bardic praise with rhythmic clapping, recounting notable deeds in a celebratory palace setting.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Gratitude and civic admiration—preserving a ruler’s reputation through collective performance and recollection.