Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 59, Shloka 33

एकोनषष्ठितमः सर्गः (Sarga 59): सुमन्त्रवाक्यं, अयोध्याविषादः, दाशरथिशोकसागरः

Devanagari script

रामशोकमहाभोगस्सीताविरहपारगः।श्वसितोर्मि महावर्तो बाष्पफेनजालाविलः।।2.59.33।।बाहुविक्षेपमीनौघो विक्रन्दित महास्वनः।प्रकीर्णकेशशैवालः कैकेयीबडबामुखः।।2.59.34।।ममाश्रुवेगप्रभवः कुब्जावाक्यमहाग्रहः।वरवेलो नृशंसाया रामप्रव्राजनायतः।।2.59.35।।यस्मिन्बत निमग्नोऽहं कौसल्ये राघवं विना।दुस्तरो जीवता देवि मयाऽयं शोकसागरः।।2.59.36।।

Transliteration

rāmaśoka-mahābhogaḥ sītā-viraha-pāragaḥ | śvasitormi mahāvarto bāṣpha-phena-jalāvilaḥ || 2.59.33 ||

Translation

ഈ ശോകമഹാസമുദ്രത്തിന് രാമശോകത്തിന്റെ മഹാവ്യാപ്തിയുണ്ട്; അതിന്റെ അപ്പുറം സീതാവിയോഗം. അതിലെ തിരകളും ചുഴികളും എന്റെ നിശ്വാസങ്ങൾ; കണ്ണുനീരിന്റെ നുരയാൽ അതിന്റെ ജലം കലങ്ങി മങ്ങിപ്പോയിരിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• रामशोकमहाभोगः: having Rama-sorrow as vast expanse
• रामशोकमहाभोगः: Visheshana (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma + śoka + mahā + bhoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga prathamā ekavacana; बहुव्रीहि—"रामशोकः महाभोगः यस्य" (whose great expanse is Rama-sorrow) describing शोकसागरः

• सीताविरहपारगः: having Sita-separation as the far shore
• सीताविरहपारगः: Visheshana (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā + viraha + pāra + ga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga prathamā ekavacana; बहुव्रीहि—"सीताविरहः पारः यस्य" (whose far shore is separation from Sita)

• श्वसितोर्मिमहावर्तः: having sigh-waves and great whirlpools
• श्वसितोर्मिमहावर्तः: Visheshana (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śvasita + ūrmi + mahā + varta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga prathamā ekavacana; बहुव्रीहि—"श्वसितम् ऊर्मिः, महावर्तः यस्य" (whose waves/whirlpools are sighs)

• बाष्पफेनजालाविलः: turbid with tear-foam
• बाष्पफेनजालाविलः: Visheshana (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāṣpa + phena + jāla + āvila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga prathamā ekavacana; बहुव्रीहि—"बाष्पः फेनजालम्, तेन आविलः यस्य" (turbid with tear-foam masses)

Context

Though I wish I cannot see Rama together with Lakshmana. Indeed this is very unfortunate. Lamenting thus, king Dasaratha of great reknown fell on the bed, unconscious.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sītā
• Kauśalyā

FAQs

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

The verse implicitly warns that adharma in decision-making (misused power, unjust demands) produces a ‘flood’ of suffering; dharma requires foresight and restraint so that promises and authority do not become instruments of harm.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha describes his overwhelming despair after Rāma’s exile, using an extended metaphor of a sea he is drowning in.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s deep attachment and emotional honesty are foregrounded, while also revealing the tragic cost of earlier commitments made without adequate discernment.