Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 13, Shloka 26
अयोध्याकाण्डे त्रयोदशः सर्गः | Kaikeyi Presses the Boons; Dasaratha’s Lament and Collapse
इतीव राज्ञो व्यथितस्य सा निशाजगाम घोरं श्वसतो मनस्विनःविबोध्यमानः प्रतिबोधनं तदानिवारयामास स राजसत्तमः।।।।
itīva rājño vyathitasya sā niśā jagāma ghoraṃ śvasato manasvinaḥ | vibodhyamānaḥ pratibodhanaṃ tadā nivārayāmāsa sa rājasattamaḥ ||
इस प्रकार व्यथित, उच्च-मन वाले राजा की वह रात्रि भारी आहों के साथ भयावह रीति से बीती। तब जब वन्दीजन उसे जगाने लगे, उस राजश्रेष्ठ ने जगाने से उन्हें रोक दिया।
The night passed off with the high-minded king lamenting this way and heaving deep sighs. When he got up, the eminent king stopped (the panegyrists) awakening him.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē trayōdaśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the thirteenth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
FAQs
Dharma here appears as the human cost of righteous obligation: the king’s inner turmoil shows how adherence to truth-bound commitments can bring intense suffering.
Daśaratha spends a dreadful night in grief; in the morning he prevents the customary waking by court bards.
Manas (nobility of mind): even in anguish, the king’s conduct reflects dignity and restraint.