Shloka 4.1.24

पम्पा-तीर-वर्णनम् / Rama’s Lament at Pampa and the Approach to Rishyamuka

Devanagari script

एष दात्यूहको हृष्टो रम्ये मां वननिर्झरे।प्रणदन्मन्मथाविष्टं शोचयिष्यति लक्ष्मण।।।।

Transliteration

eṣa dātyūhako hṛṣṭo ramye māṁ vananirjhare |

praṇadan manmathāviṣṭaṁ śocayiṣyati lakṣmaṇa ||

Translation

Lakṣmaṇa, this joyful dātyūhaka, clucking by the lovely forest waterfall, torments me—already afflicted by love.

Context

'Lakshmana, while I am already love-stricken, the swamp-hen (gallinule, a marsh-bird) troubles me with its joyous cackles in the beautiful forest-stream.

Characters & Entities

• Lakshmana
• Manmatha (Kama)
• dātyūhaka (swamp-hen)
• forest waterfall/stream (vananirjhara)

FAQs

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

The verse implies steadiness in dharma amid suffering: even as nature intensifies desire and grief, Rāma does not abandon righteous conduct; he endures pain without turning to unrighteous means.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma, separated from Sītā, has reached the Pampā-region in spring and laments to Lakṣmaṇa; sounds of birds and water heighten his anguish.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s self-restraint and fidelity: his love is exclusive and steadfast, expressed as painful longing rather than impulsive indulgence.