Dasharatha Falls Crying Ram's Name
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 34
Doha 34 · Movement 2 of 2
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The king sees that no plea can cure the malady before him. Argument, affection, surrender, and the offer of his own life have all failed to move Kaikeyi.
Dasharatha collapses to the ground and strikes his forehead. From the depth of anguish comes no royal command, only the repeated cry: Ram, Ram, O Raghunath.
When speech can no longer bargain with catastrophe, the beloved name remains. The king falls from throne, authority, and composure, but his heart falls toward Ram. Pain strips prayer to its final syllable and leaves it sounding against the chamber walls.
With every other power broken, Dasharatha lies upon the ground holding only Ram's name.
Read the passage from the Manas
देखी ब्याधि असाध नृपु परेउ धरनि धुनि माथ। कहत परम आरत बचन राम राम रघुनाथ।।34।।
Seeing his malady beyond all cure, the king fell to the ground, striking his forehead, crying out in deepest anguish: 'Rama! Rama! O Raghunaath!'