Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 103, Shloka 12
पिण्डदानदर्शनम्
The Queens Behold Rama’s Śrāddha Offering
चतुरन्तां महीं भुक्त्वा महेन्द्रसदृशो विभुः।कथमिङ्गुदिपिण्याकं स भुक्ते वसुधाधिपः।।2.103.12।।
caturantāṁ mahīṁ bhuktvā mahendrasadṛśo vibhuḥ |
katham iṅgudipiṇyākaṁ sa bhukte vasudhādhipaḥ || 2.103.12 ||
जो प्रभु इन्द्र-तुल्य पराक्रमी होकर पहले चारों दिशाओं तक फैली पृथ्वी का भोग करता था, वह पृथ्वीपति अब इङ्गुदी के गूदे से बने पिण्याक को कैसे खाएगा?
How can Indra-like Dasaratha, having ruled the earth bounded by four oceans, eat a cake of ingudi pulp?
FAQs
Impermanence of worldly power: dharma reminds that kingship and luxury pass, while duty (rites and remembrance) remains—even in austere conditions.
A queen contrasts Daśaratha’s former imperial splendor with the simple forest-based offering now made for him.
Reverent mourning—honoring the departed by recalling his greatness and feeling the sting of changed fortune.