Shloka 19

अष्टपञ्चाशः सर्गः (Sarga 58)

Daśaratha Questions Sumantra; Messages from the Forest Threshold

Devanagari script

अभिमानं च मानं च त्यक्त्वा वर्तस्व मातृषु।अनु राजानमार्यां च कैकेयीमम्ब कारय।।।।

Transliteration

abhimānaṁ ca mānaṁ ca tyaktvā vartasva mātṛṣu |

anu rājānam āryāṁ ca kaikeyīm amba kāraya ||

Translation

Buanglah keangkuhan dan kebanggaan, lalu hiduplah rukun dengan para permaisuri yang lain seperti dengan para ibu. Dan, wahai ibu, bimbinglah Kaikeyi yang mulia agar tetap berkenan dan bersikap baik terhadap raja.

Word by Word

abhimānamconceit/egoism

caand

mānampride/self-respect

caand

tyaktvāhaving abandoned

vartasvaconduct yourself

mātṛṣutowards/among the mothers

anuin accordance with/after

rājānamthe king

āryāmnoble/venerable

caand

kaikeyīmKaikeyī

ambaO mother

kārayacause (her) to act/keep (her) well-disposed

Context

Then the charioteer with folded palms approached the king who, deeply afflicted with grief and pain, was brooding over Rama alone. Aged Dasaratha was heaving deep sighs like a newlycaptured, indisposed elephant.

Characters & Entities

Rāma

Kauśalyā

Kaikeyī

Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Dharma as restraint and reconciliation: abandoning pride and ego is presented as necessary for maintaining family order and protecting the king’s welfare, even with those who caused harm.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma instructs Kauśalyā on how to behave toward the other queens and specifically how to handle Kaikeyī in relation to Daśaratha.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s magnanimity and commitment to household harmony are emphasized, urging forgiveness and disciplined conduct.