Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 50
अयोध्याकाण्डे विंशः सर्गः
Rama Enters Kauśalyā’s Antaḥpura; Ritual Preparations and the Shock of Exile
ममैव नूनं मरणं न विद्यतेन चावकाऽशोस्ति यमक्षयेऽमम।यदन्तकोऽद्यैव न मां जिहीर्षति।प्रसह्य सिंहो रुदतीं मृगीमिव।।।।
mamaiva nūnaṃ maraṇaṃ na vidyate na cāvakāśo 'sti yamakṣaye mama | yad antako 'dyaiva na māṃ jihīrṣati prasahya siṃho rudatīṃ mṛgīm iva ||
ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ମୋ ପାଖକୁ ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ଆସୁନାହିଁ, ଯମଲୋକରେ ମୋର ସ୍ଥାନ ମଧ୍ୟ ନାହିଁ; କାରଣ ଅନ୍ତକ ଆଜି ମଧ୍ୟ ମୋତେ ବଳପୂର୍ବକ ଧରିନେଉନାହିଁ—ଯେପରି ସିଂହ କାନ୍ଦୁଥିବା ହରିଣୀକୁ ଛିନିନେଇଯାଏ।
There is no room for me in the abode of Yama (the god of death). If he does notcarry me off forcibly like a lion carrying away a crying female deer, certainly there is no death for me.
FAQs
It reveals truthful speech in suffering; Dharma does not deny grief, but gives it voice without turning it into cruelty or deceit.
Overwhelmed by separation, Kausalyā speaks as if death itself refuses to take her, intensifying the tragedy of having to live through the loss of Rāma.
Emotional authenticity—her lament is extreme but sincere, showing the human cost behind epic duty.