Shloka 18

कौशल्याविलापः

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

Devanagari script

साहं गौरिव सिंहेन विवत्सा वत्सला कृता।कैकेय्या पुरुषव्याघ्र बालवत्सेव गौर्बलात्।।।।

Transliteration

sāhaṃ gaur iva siṃhena vivatsā vatsalā kṛtā |

kaikeyyā puruṣavyāghra bālavatsā iva gaur balāt ||

Translation

Wahai harimau di antara manusia, aku—seperti lembu betina yang menyayangi anaknya—telah dijadikan kehilangan anak oleh Kaikeyī, direnggut dengan paksa, seolah-olah singa merampas anak lembu dari ibunya dengan kekuatan yang ganas.

Word by Word

साI (that woman)

अहम्I

गौःa cow

इवlike

सिंहेनby a lion

विवत्साseparated from her calf

वत्सलाaffectionate to the calf

कृताwas made

कैकेय्याby Kaikeyi

पुरुष-व्याघ्रO tiger among men

बाल-वत्सा(like) a cow with a young calf

इवlike

बलात्forcibly

Context

Having banished Rama, she is now happy with her desires fulfilled. And like a vicious serpent living in the house she will again frighten me.

Characters & Entities

Kaikeyi

Rama (implied as ‘calf’)

Dasharatha (addressed: puruṣavyāghra)

Lion (simile)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes protecting natural bonds of care (mother and child) and preventing coercive harm. The verse condemns forceful separation as a violation of humane order.

What is the narrative situation?

Kausalya describes the pain of losing Rama, blaming Kaikeyi for violently severing the mother–son bond.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kausalya’s unwavering maternal devotion (vātsalya), presented as natural and sacred.