Shloka 2.66.16

अयोध्यायां शोकविलापः — Lamentation in Ayodhya after Daśaratha’s death

Devanagari script

तैलद्रोण्यां तु सचिवैश्शायितं तं नराधिपम्।हा मृतोऽयमिति ज्ञात्वा स्त्रियस्ताः पर्यदेवयन्।।।।

Transliteration

tailadroṇyāṃ tu sacivaiḥ śāyitaṃ taṃ narādhipam |

hā mṛto ’yam iti jñātvā striyas tāḥ paryadevayan ||

Translation

Seeing the lord of men laid in the oil-vat by the ministers, the women, realizing, “Alas, he is dead,” cried out in lamentation.

Context

On seeing the king's body laid in the oil vat by the counsellors, the women cried Alas, the king is dead.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• ministers (sacivāḥ)
• palace women/queens/attendants (striyaḥ)
• oil-vat (tailadroṇī)

FAQs

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

The verse underscores the dharmic realism of anitya (impermanence): even a king is subject to death, and society must respond through both human grief and orderly rites.

What is the narrative situation?

The women of the palace see Daśaratha’s body preserved in an oil-vat and break into collective mourning.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sincere devotion and loyalty to the king, expressed as communal mourning rather than indifference.