Shloka 4.1.39

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

Devanagari script

तामेव मन्मथाविष्टो मयूरोऽप्युपधावति।वितत्य रुचिरौ पक्षौ रुतैरुपहसन्निव।।।।

Transliteration

tām eva manmathāviṣṭo mayūro 'py upadhāvati |

vitatya rucirau pakṣau rutair upahasann iva ||

Translation

And that peacock too, seized by desire, runs after her alone—spreading his lovely wings and calling out, as if laughing in play.

Context

'Overwhelmed with love, the enchanted peacock, spreading his wings is running after her, making sounds, as though mocking her.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Lakshmana
• peacock
• peahen

FAQs

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

The ethical subtext is exclusivity of rightful love: the peacock pursues ‘her alone,’ mirroring Rāma’s single-minded fidelity, which stands as a dharmic ideal against disorder caused by adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma continues describing the peacock-pair’s courtship; the scene becomes a poignant contrast to his own forced separation from Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Single-minded devotion: the imagery supports Rāma’s unwavering orientation toward Sītā and the restoration of moral order.