Valmiki Ramayana 2.18.39 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 39

अष्टादशः सर्गः

Kaikeyī Discloses the Boons: Exile to Daṇḍaka and Bharata’s Consecration

Devanagari script

एतेन त्वां नरेन्द्रोऽयं कारुण्येन समाप्लुतः।शोकसंक्लिष्ट वदनो न शक्नोति निरीक्षितुम्।।।।

Transliteration

etena tvāṁ narendro ’yaṁ kāruṇyena samāplutaḥ | śokasaṅkliṣṭavadano na śakn̄oti nirīkṣitum ||

Translation

Vì lẽ ấy, đức vua này chìm ngập trong lòng từ mẫn; dung nhan héo hắt vì sầu khổ, nên không thể chịu nổi mà nhìn con.

Word by Word

• एतेन: by this; because of this
• एतेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (3rd/तृतीया), Eka-vacana (एकवचन); demonstrative pronoun used instrumentally (करणे)

• त्वाम्: you
• त्वाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuzmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Dvitīyā vibhakti (2nd/द्वितीया), Eka-vacana (एकवचन)

• नरेन्द्रः: the king (lord of men)
• नरेन्द्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara + indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) compound: nara-indra; Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā vibhakti (1st/प्रथमा), Eka-vacana (एकवचन)

• अयम्: this
• अयम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā vibhakti (1st/प्रथमा), Eka-vacana (एकवचन)

• कारुण्येन: through compassion; out of pity
• कारुण्येन: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāruṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (3rd/तृतीया), Eka-vacana (एकवचन); instrumental of cause (हेतु-करण)

• समाप्लुतः: overwhelmed; flooded
• समाप्लुतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ā-plu (धातु)
• Form: Kta-pratyaya past participle (क्त/भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त); Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Eka-vacana; passive sense ‘overwhelmed’

• शोकसंक्लिष्टवदनः: having a face distressed by grief
• शोकसंक्लिष्टवदनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śoka + saṅkliṣṭa + vadana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi (बहुव्रीहि) compound: ‘whose face is afflicted by grief’; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Eka-vacana; adjective qualifying नरेन्द्रः

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Niṣedha-avyaya (निषेध-अव्यय) negative particle

• शक्नोति: is able
• शक्नोति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śak (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (लट्/Present), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person/प्रथमपुरुष), Eka-vacana (एकवचन)

• निरीक्षितुम्: to look at; to see
• निरीक्षितुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir-īkṣ (धातु)
• Form: Tumun infinitive (तुमुन्/तुमर्थक), expressing purpose; ‘to see’

Context

Maharaja (Dasaratha) with his senses dulled had become emaciated due to sorrow and suffering. With an agitated and troubled mind, he was breathing heavily. Although unshakable, he looked agitated like an ocean with successive rows of waves, like the Sun in eclipse, like an ascetic who has uttered falsehood.

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyi
• Dasaratha
• Rama

FAQs

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

Dharma here is the moral burden of difficult vows: compassion can paralyze action, yet duty still demands a righteous resolution.

What is the narrative situation?

Kaikeyī interprets Daśaratha’s grief-stricken silence and inability to meet Rāma’s gaze.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s paternal love and compassion—though shown as emotionally overwhelming.