Shloka 2.88.11

रामशय्यादर्शनम् — Bharata Beholds Rama’s Forest Bed

Devanagari script

न नूनं दैवतं किंचित्कालेन बलवत्तरम्।यत्र दाशरथी रामो भूमावेव शयीत सः।।।।

Transliteration

na nūnaṃ daivataṃ kiṃcit kālena balavattaram |

yatra dāśarathī rāmo bhūmāveva śayīta saḥ ||

Translation

“Surely no divine power is even slightly stronger than Time—since Rāma, Daśaratha’s son, had to sleep upon the bare ground.”

Context

Dasaratha's son, Rama had to rest on the ground would admittedly mean that no divine power is mightier than Time (Destiny).

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Daśaratha
• Kāla (Time/Destiny)

FAQs

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

Humility before the moral order of the world: even the most righteous and royal can be brought low by Kāla, prompting compassion, self-restraint, and renewed commitment to dharma rather than pride.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata reaches Rāma’s forest resting-place and, seeing signs of his sleeping on the ground, laments the reversal of fortune caused by exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bharata’s empathy and moral sensitivity—he is pained that a dharmic prince endures hardship and reflects on the power of destiny/time.