Shloka 2.66.17

अयोध्यायां शोकविलापः — Lamentation in Ayodhya after Daśaratha’s death

Devanagari script

बाहूनुद्यम्य कृपणाः नेत्रप्रस्रवणैर्मुखैः।रुदन्त्य श्शोकसन्तप्ताः कृपणं पर्यदेवयन्।।।।

Transliteration

bāhūn udyamya kṛpaṇāḥ netraprasravaṇair mukhaiḥ |

rudantyaḥ śokasantaptāḥ kṛpaṇaṃ paryadevayan ||

Translation

With arms uplifted, their faces streaming with tears, scorched by grief and sobbing, they wailed piteously, without restraint.

Context

With tears flowing down their faces, piteously raising their arms, groaning in their burning grief, the women lamented helplessly.

Characters & Entities

• palace women (striyaḥ—implicit from previous verse)
• Daśaratha (implicit context)

FAQs

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

While not prescribing an action, the verse records truthful human response to loss (satya of emotion). In the Ramayana, acknowledging grief is part of moral realism, which then must be guided back into dharmic conduct and duty.

What is the narrative situation?

Following the king’s death, the women’s grief becomes outwardly visible—raised arms, tears, and loud lamentation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Emotional sincerity and attachment born of loyalty—grief as evidence of love and dependence on the righteous king.