Shloka 17

कौशल्याविलापः

Kausalya’s Lament and the Vision of Rama’s Return

Devanagari script

निस्संशयं मया मन्ये पुरा वीर कदर्यया।पातुकामेषु वत्सेषु मातृ़णां शातितास्स्तनाः।।।।

Transliteration

nissaṃśayaṃ mayā manye purā vīra kadaryayā |

pātukāmeṣu vatseṣu mātṝṇāṃ śātitā stanāḥ ||

Translation

ഹേ വീരനേ, സംശയമില്ലാതെ ഞാൻ കരുതുന്നു—മുൻകാലത്ത് ഞാൻ കദർയ്യമായ ക്രൂരതകൊണ്ട്, പാൽ കുടിക്കുവാൻ ആഗ്രഹിച്ച കിടാക്കളെ നോക്കി നിൽക്കേ അമ്മമാരുടെ മുലകൾ മുറിച്ചുകളഞ്ഞിട്ടുണ്ടാകണം; അതിനാലാണ് ഈ ദുഃഖം എനിക്കു വന്നത്.

Word by Word

निस्संशयम्undoubtedly

मयाby me

मन्येI think

पुराformerly

वीरO hero

कदर्ययाout of avarice

पातु-कामेषुin calves desiring to drink (milk)

वत्सेषुamong calves

मातॄणाम्of the mothers (cows)

शातिताःwere cut/hacked

स्तनाःudders/teats

Context

I am consumed by this blazing fire of grief caused by separation from my son like the earth scorched in summer by the Sun-god with his oppressive raysityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē tricatvāriṅśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the fortythird sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

Dasharatha (implied addressee: vīra)

FAQs

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

Ahiṃsā and compassion are central to dharma; cruelty to vulnerable beings is portrayed as generating painful consequences. The verse teaches moral causality (karma) and the need for empathy.

What is the narrative situation?

Kausalya, overwhelmed by separation from Rama, interprets her present anguish through the lens of past wrongdoing and karmic retribution.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral introspection and accountability: Kausalya does not merely blame others; she searches her own actions (even across time) for ethical causes.