Shloka 2.66.14

अयोध्यायां शोकविलापः — Lamentation in Ayodhya after Daśaratha’s death

Devanagari script

तैलद्रोण्यामथामात्या सम्वेश्य जगतीपतिम्।राज्ञस्सर्वाण्यथादिष्टाश्चक्रुः कर्माण्यनन्तरम्।।।।

Transliteration

tailadroṇyām athāmātyāḥ saṃveśya jagatīpatim |

rājñaḥ sarvāṇy athādiṣṭāś cakruḥ karmāṇy anantaram ||

Translation

Then the ministers, acting as instructed, placed the lord of the earth in an oil-vat, and immediately performed the prescribed rites that were to follow.

Context

The counsellors, instructed (by Vasistha and others), placed the king's body in an oil tub with the understanding that the funeral rites were to be performed hereafter.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• ministers (amātyāḥ)
• oil-vat (tailadroṇī)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as adherence to proper rites and orderly governance even amid grief. The ministers preserve the king’s body and follow instruction, ensuring continuity of sacred and civic procedure.

What is the narrative situation?

After the king’s death, the ministers arrange preservation of the body in an oil-vat while preparing for subsequent funeral rites.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Administrative steadiness and duty (kartavya-niṣṭhā) in crisis—placing communal responsibility above personal emotion.