Shloka 2

रामशय्यादर्शनम्

Bharata Beholds Rama’s Forest Bed

Devanagari script

तच्छ्रुत्वा निपुणं सर्वं भरत स्सह मन्त्रिभिः।इङ्गुदीमूलमागम्य रामशय्यामवेक्ष्य ताम्।।2.88.1।।अब्रवीज्जननी स्सर्वा इह तेन महात्मना।शर्वरी शयिता भूमाविदमस्य विमर्दितम्।।2.88.2।।

Transliteration

tac chrutvā nipuṇaṃ sarvaṃ bharataḥ saha mantribhiḥ |

iṅgudīmūlam āgamya rāmaśayyām avekṣya tām ||

abravīj jananīḥ sarvā iha tena mahātmanā |

śarvarī śayitā bhūmāv idam asya vimarditam ||

Translation

എല്ലാം സൂക്ഷ്മമായി കേട്ട ശേഷം, ഭരതൻ മന്ത്രിമാരോടുകൂടെ ഇംഗുദീ വൃക്ഷത്തിന്റെ വേരിനരികെ എത്തി, രാമന്റെ ശയ്യാസ്ഥലം കണ്ടു എല്ലാ മാതാക്കളോടും പറഞ്ഞു: “ഇവിടെ ആ മഹാത്മാവ് രാത്രിയിൽ ഭൂമിയിൽ ശയിച്ചു; ഇതാണ് അവന്റെ വിരിപ്പ് അമർന്നു പോയ സ്ഥലം.”

Word by Word

ajina-uttara-saṃstīrṇeon (a bed) spread with deerskin on top

vara-āstaraṇa-saṃcayeon a heap of excellent spreads (bed)

śayitvāhaving slept (habitually)

puruṣavyāghraḥthe tiger among men (Rama)

kathamhow

śetesleeps/lies

mahītaleon the ground

Context

How could such Rama sleep on the ground? He was born in the house of emperors, worthy of reverence by the entire world and beloved of all the worlds, with the complexion of a blue lotus, with red eyes, and pleasing looks, one who deserves to be happy and not to suffer by renouncing the kingdom and excellent comforts.

Characters & Entities

Bharata

Rāma

Ministers (mantrin)

Iṅgudī tree

FAQs

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

Dharma requires truthful acknowledgment of suffering caused by political events; Bharata publicly recognizes Rāma’s austere conduct, preparing the ground for restitution and right action.

What is the narrative situation?

After hearing Guha’s account, Bharata arrives at the iṅgudī tree and shows the queens the place where Rāma slept on the ground.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bharata’s sincerity and dutiful transparency—he seeks Rāma and documents the reality of his exile without minimizing it.