Shloka 12
द्विचत्वारिंशः सर्गः — दशरथस्य शोक-विलापः तथा कौशल्यागृह-प्रवेशः
Dasaratha’s Lament and Return to Kausalya’s Apartments
निवृत्त्यैव निवृत्त्यैव सीदतो रथवर्त्मसु।राज्ञो नातिबभौ रूपं ग्रस्तस्यांशुमतो यथा।।।।
nivṛttyaiva nivṛttyaiva sīdato rathavartmasu | rājño nātibabhau rūpaṃ grastasyāṃśumato yathā ||
Berpaling kembali, kembali lagi ke jejak roda kereta di jalan, wajah raja yang bersedih itu tidak lagi bersinar—bagaikan Matahari ketika ditelan gerhana.
Turning back again and again at the trail of (Rama's) chariot, the grieving king appeared lustreless like the Sun in eclipse.
FAQs
It underscores the human cost of dharmic duty: even when righteousness is pursued (Rāma’s exile), elders who uphold order may still suffer grief; Dharma does not erase sorrow, but asks one to endure it without abandoning propriety.
Daśaratha follows and repeatedly turns back toward the tracks of Rāma’s departing chariot; his face loses its radiance like an eclipsed sun.
Daśaratha’s deep parental attachment and emotional truthfulness—his love is shown without concealment, even as kingship demands composure.