Valmiki Ramayana 2.39.9 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 39, Shloka 9
एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः
Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma
संज्ञां तु प्रतिलभ्यैव मुहूर्तात्स महीपतिः।नेत्राभ्यामश्रुपूर्णाभ्यां सुमन्त्रमिदमब्रवीत्।।2.39.9।।
saṃjñāṃ tu pratilabhyaiva muhūrtāt sa mahīpatiḥ | netrābhyām aśru-pūrṇābhyāṃ sumantram idam abravīt || 2.39.9 ||
संज्ञां तु प्रतिलभ्यैव मुहूर्तात्स महीपतिः। नेत्राभ्यामश्रुपूर्णाभ्यां सुमन्त्रमिदमब्रवीत्॥
Unless the destined hour arrives, life does not leave the body. Therefore, even though I am tormented by Kaikeyi and even after seeing my son, standing before me, (bright) like fire, taking off his fine clothes and wearing the robes of an ascetic my end does not come.
FAQs
Composure returning to duty: even amid grief, a ruler must recover presence of mind to communicate and act responsibly.
Daśaratha briefly loses composure, then regains awareness and addresses his minister-charioteer Sumantra.
Resilience and responsibility—Daśaratha attempts to continue governance and communication despite emotional collapse.
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