Valmiki Ramayana 2.36.10 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 36, Shloka 10

अयोध्याकाण्डे षट्त्रिंशः सर्गः

Daśaratha’s orders for Rama’s escort; Kaikeyi’s fear; the Asamañjasa precedent

Devanagari script

एवं ब्रुवति काकुत्स्थे कैकेय्या भय मागतम्।मुखं चाप्यगमच्छोषं स्वरश्चापि न्यरुध्यत।।।।

Transliteration

evaṃ bruvati kākutsthe kaikeyyā bhayam āgatam | mukhaṃ cāpy agamac choṣaṃ svaraś cāpi nyarudhyata || 2.36.10 ||

Translation

Tatkala Daśaratha daripada keturunan Kakutstha berkata demikian, ketakutan pun menimpa Kaikeyī; wajahnya menjadi kering dan pucat, bahkan suaranya juga tersekat.

Word by Word

• evam: thus/in this way
• evam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (प्रकारवाचक अव्यय)

• bruvati: while (he) was speaking
• bruvati: Kāla (काल) / Sati-saptamī (सति-सप्तमी)
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (धातु)
• Form: Vartamāna-kṛdanta (present active participle/शतृ) used as locative absolute; Masculine, Locative (सप्तमी) Singular; 'while (he) was speaking'

• kākutsthe: when the Kakutstha (Daśaratha)
• kākutsthe: Kāla (काल) / Sati-saptamī (सति-सप्तमी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kākutstha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (सप्तमी) Singular; in locative absolute with bruvati

• kaikeyyāḥ: of Kaikeyi
• kaikeyyāḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kaikeyī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Genitive (षष्ठी) Singular

• bhayam: fear
• bhayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular

• āgatam: came/entered
• āgatam: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-gam (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त); Neuter, Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular; agreeing with bhayam

• mukham: face
• mukham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (अपि) = also/even

• agamat: became/attained
• agamat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (लङ्) imperfect/past; Parasmaipada; Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person) Singular

• śoṣam: dryness
• śoṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śoṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया) Singular; object/complement of agamat

• svaraḥ: voice
• svaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (अपि) = also/even

• nyarudhyata: was choked/was obstructed
• nyarudhyata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-rudh (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (लङ्) imperfect; Ātmanepada; Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person) Singular; passive-like sense 'was choked/was stopped'

Context

While Dasaratha was saying these words, Kaikeyi was gripped by fear and her face looked pale. Even her voice got choked.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kakutstha (epithet/lineage)
• Kaikeyī

FAQs

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

It highlights the inner turmoil that arises when one’s actions clash with dharma—fear and loss of composure accompany morally fraught choices.

What is the narrative situation?

During the tense exchange in the palace, Kaikeyī reacts physically and emotionally to Daśaratha’s words.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not a virtue but a moral-psychological marker: Kaikeyī’s fear suggests awareness of the gravity and social consequences of what is unfolding.