Valmiki Ramayana 2.42.2: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 2
द्विचत्वारिंशः सर्गः · दशरथस्य शोक-विलापः तथा कौशल्यागृह-प्रवेशः
Dasaratha’s Lament and Return to Kausalya’s Apartments
यावद्राजा प्रियं पुत्रं पश्यत्यत्यन्तधार्मिकम् ।
तावद्व्यवर्धते वास्य धरण्यां पुत्रदर्शने ॥२॥
yāvad rājā priyaṃ putraṃ paśyaty atyantadhārmikam |
tāvad vyavardhate vāsyā dharaṇyāṃ putradarśane ||2||
அரசன் தன் மிகுந்த தர்மநெறியுடைய அன்புப் புதல்வனைப் பார்க்கும் வரையில், புதல்வன் தரிசன மகிழ்ச்சியால் அவர் நிலத்திலிருந்து எழுந்தெழுந்து மேலும் மேலும் உயிர்த்தெழுந்தார் போலத் தோன்றியது।
So long as king Dasaratha was able to see his exceedingly virtuous and beloved son (Rama), it appeared that his body kept rising from the earth to have a sight of his son.
FAQs
The verse frames Rāma as ‘atyantadhārmika’—a benchmark of righteousness—showing how dharma inspires reverence and longing even in those left behind.
While Rāma is still within sight, Daśaratha strains upward as if physically lifted from the ground, desperate to keep seeing him.
Rāma’s exemplary dharma is foregrounded; Daśaratha’s intense paternal love is shown through bodily imagery.
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