Shloka 1.20.8

राज्ञः शङ्का–प्रत्याख्यानम् (Daśaratha’s Objections to Sending Rāma) — Bala Kanda, Sarga 20

Devanagari script

विप्रयुक्तो हि रामेण मुहूर्तमपि नोत्सहे।।।।जीवितुं मुनिशार्दूल न रामं नेतुमर्हसि।

Transliteration

viprayukto hi rāmeṇa muhūrtam api notsahe | jīvituṃ muniśārdūla na rāmaṃ netum arhasi ||

Translation

Separated from Rāma, I cannot bear to live even for a moment. O tiger among ascetics, it is not fitting for you to take Rāma away from me.

Context

Separated from Rama, I do not like to live even for a moment. O tiger among ascetics, it is not proper to take Rama with you.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Daśaratha
• Viśvāmitra

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the tension between personal attachment and dharma: a father’s intense love for his son conflicts with the higher obligation to honor righteous requests and protect the world from harm.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra asks to take young Rāma for protecting sacrifices; Daśaratha pleads that he cannot live without Rāma and urges the sage not to take him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s deep parental affection (vātsalya) is foregrounded, even as it is implicitly measured against the king’s duty to uphold dharma.