Shloka 11

कौशल्याविलापः

Kausalya’s Lament and the Vision of Rama’s Return

Devanagari script

कदा प्रेक्ष्य नरव्याघ्रावरण्यात्पुनरागतौ।नन्दिष्यति पुरी हृष्टा समुद्र इव पर्वणि।।।।

Transliteration

kadā prekṣya naravyāghrāv araṇyāt punarāgatau | nandiṣyati purī hṛṣṭā samudra iva parvaṇi ||

Translation

అరణ్యంనుండి తిరిగి వచ్చిన ఆ నరవ్యాఘ్రులను దర్శించి హర్షించిన నగరం ఎప్పుడు ఆనందంతో ఉప్పొంగుతుంది—పౌర్ణమి జ్వారంలో సముద్రం ఉప్పొంగినట్లుగా?

Word by Word

• kadā: when
• kadā: Kālaviśeṣaṇa (कालविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Interrogative adverb

• prekṣya: having seen
• prekṣya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-īkṣ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्) from pra+īkṣ; 'having seen'

• nara-vyāghrau: the two best of men
• nara-vyāghrau: Karma (कर्म) (object of prekṣya)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक) + vyāghra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Dual; तत्पुरुष: 'nareṣu vyāghrau' = tigers among men

• araṇyāt: from the forest
• araṇyāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: araṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Ablative, Singular

• punar: again
• punar: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punar (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• āgatau: returned
• āgatau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of naravyāghrau
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā-gam (धातु)
• Form: Past participle (क्त), Masculine, Accusative, Dual; agreeing with naravyāghrau

• nandiṣyati: will rejoice
• nandiṣyati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nand (धातु)
• Form: Future (लृट्), 3rd person, Singular

• purī: the city
• purī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: purī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• hṛṣṭā: delighted
• hṛṣṭā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of purī
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hṛṣ (धातु)
• Form: Past participle (क्त), Feminine, Nominative, Singular; adjective to purī

• samudraḥ: the ocean
• samudraḥ: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samudra (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• iva: like
• iva: Upamādyotaka (उपमाद्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Comparative particle

• parvaṇi: on the full-moon/festival day
• parvaṇi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण) (in simile)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parvan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

Context

When will, like the swelling sea on a full Moon day, the city hail the return of Rama and Lakshmana, the best among men?

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhyā
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• araṇya (forest)
• samudra (ocean)

FAQs

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

Dharma is portrayed as restorative: the return of dhārmic protectors heals the community, just as natural rhythms (tide/full moon) symbolize renewal and right order.

What is the narrative situation?

Kausalyā continues her lamenting hope, picturing the moment Ayodhyā will behold Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa returning from exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The virtue of protective heroism (vīrya) attributed to the brothers, and Kausalyā’s unwavering maternal devotion.