Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 58, Shloka 2
अष्टपञ्चाशः सर्गः (Sarga 58)
Daśaratha Questions Sumantra; Messages from the Forest Threshold
अथ सूतो महाराजं कृताञ्जलिरुपस्थितः।राममेवानुशोचन्तं दुःखशोकसमन्वितम्।।।।वृद्धं परमसन्तप्तं नवग्रहमिव द्विपम्।विनिश्वसन्तं ध्यायन्तमस्वस्थ मिव कुङञरम्।।।।
atha sūto mahārājaṁ kṛtāñjalir upasthitaḥ |
rāmam evānuśocantaṁ duḥkhaśoka-samanvitam ||
vṛddhaṁ paramasantaptaṁ navagraham iva dvipam |
viniśvasantaṁ dhyāyantam asvastham iva kuñjaram ||
Entonces el auriga se acercó al gran rey con las manos juntas en reverencia. Daśaratha—anciano, abrumado por pena y dolor, meditando sólo en Rāma—exhalaba hondos suspiros, como un elefante recién capturado, enfermo y afligido.
Tell me, O charioteer where Rama sat, where he slept, what (food) he ate. Only your words will enable me to live like Yayati among saints.
FAQs
The verse indirectly highlights the dharmic cost of separation and duty: even a righteous course of action can produce intense human suffering, reminding readers that Dharma is lived in real emotional consequences, not abstract ideals.
The charioteer comes before King Daśaratha, who is consumed by grief for Rāma, sighing and brooding in distress.
The charioteer’s humility and respect (approaching with folded hands) is emphasized, reflecting proper conduct toward a suffering king.