Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 43, Shloka 6

कौशल्याविलापः

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

Devanagari script

गजराजगतिर्वीरो महाबाहुर्धनुर्धरः।वनमाविशते नूनं सभार्य स्सह लक्ष्मणः।।।।

Transliteration

gajarājagatir vīro mahābāhur dhanurdharaḥ |

vanam āviśate nūnaṃ sabhāryaḥ saha lakṣmaṇaḥ ||

Translation

Ang aking magiting na anak—na may makapangyarihang mga bisig, may hawak ng busog, at naglalakad nang may tikas ng haring elepante—ay tiyak na pumapasok na ngayon sa kagubatan, kasama ang kanyang asawang si Sita at si Lakshmana.

Word by Word

• gaja-rāja-gatiḥ: having the gait of an elephant-king
• gaja-rāja-gatiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of vīraḥ
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaja (प्रातिपदिक) + rāja (प्रातिपदिक) + gati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular; तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष): 'gajarājasya gatiḥ' = gait of the king of elephants

• vīraḥ: the hero
• vīraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• mahā-bāhuḥ: mighty-armed
• mahā-bāhuḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of vīraḥ
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + bāhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; कर्मधारय: 'mahān bāhuḥ yasya saḥ' in usage as epithet

• dhanuḥ-dharaḥ: bow-bearer (archer)
• dhanuḥ-dharaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of vīraḥ
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanuḥ (प्रातिपदिक) + dhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; तत्पुरुष: 'dhanuḥ dharati' = bearer of a bow

• vanam: the forest
• vanam: Karma (कर्म) (goal as object of entering)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• āviśate: enters
• āviśate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-viś (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person, Singular; ātmanepada; 'enters'

• nūnam: surely
• nūnam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nūnam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय)

• sa-bhāryaḥ: with (his) wife
• sa-bhāryaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of vīraḥ
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्गसदृश) + bhāryā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; अव्ययीभाव: 'bhāryayā saha' = with (his) wife

• saha: together with
• saha: Sahakāraka-dyotaka (सहकारक-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saha (अव्यय)
• Form: Prepositional indeclinable (सह), 'with' (usually with instrumental)

• lakṣmaṇaḥ: Lakshmana
• lakṣmaṇaḥ: Sahakartā (सहकर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Context

Without seeing my beloved son, long-armed and mighty, I have but little strength to live in this world.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Sita
• Lakshmana
• Forest (vana)

FAQs

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

The verse foregrounds dharma as steadfast acceptance of duty: Rama proceeds to exile without rebellion, and his family’s solidarity (Sita and Lakshmana accompanying him) reflects loyalty aligned with righteousness.

What is the narrative situation?

Kausalya visualizes Rama’s departure into the forest, emphasizing his noble bearing and the fact that Sita and Lakshmana accompany him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s heroic composure and Lakshmana’s devotion; also Sita’s fidelity in choosing to share Rama’s hardship.