Valmiki Ramayana 2.102.4-5: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 102, Shlokas 4-5
पितृमरणश्रवणं जलक्रिया च
Hearing of Daśaratha’s death and the libation rites at Mandākinī
तथा हि पतितं रामं जगत्यां जगतीपतिम् ।
कूलघातपरिश्रान्तं प्रसुप्तमिव कुञ्जरम् ॥४॥
भ्रातरस्ते महेष्वासं सर्वतश्शोककर्शितम् ।
रुदन्तस्सह वैदेह्या सिषिचुस्सलिलेन वै ॥५॥
tathā hi patitaṃ rāmaṃ jagatyāṃ jagatīpatim |
kūlaghātapariśrāntaṃ prasuptamiva kuñjaram ||4||
bhrātaraste maheṣvāsaṃ sarvataśśokakarśitam |
rudantassaha vaidehyā siṣicussalilena vai ||5||
ते भ्रातरः सह वैदेह्या जगत्यां पतितं जगतीपतिं महेष्वासं रामं कूलघातपरिश्रान्तं प्रसुप्तकुञ्जरमिव सर्वतः शोककर्शितं सलिलेन अभ्यषिञ्चन्।
Those brothers on all sides, with Sita lamenting, sprinkled water on Rama, the great archer and lord of the earth who, afflicted with grief, had fallen down on the ground, and was lying like an elephant exhausted from repeatedly striking a river bank.
FAQs
The verse portrays the profound human dimension of dharma - even the most righteous and powerful beings experience devastating grief. It shows that dharma does not demand suppression of natural emotions; even Rama, the embodiment of dharma, is overcome by sorrow at his father's death.
Bharata has just informed Rama of King Dasharatha's death. Overcome with shock and grief, Rama falls unconscious to the ground. His brothers and Sita rush to revive him by sprinkling water on his face.
The verse emphasizes Rama's deep filial devotion (pitru bhakti). His extreme reaction to the news of his father's death demonstrates that his adherence to dharma was rooted in genuine love and respect for his parents, not mere duty.
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