The warders of the palace led The monarch, when his words were said, To Queen Kausalya's bower, and there Laid him with reverential care. But while he rested on the bed Still was his soul disquieted. In grief he tossed his arms on high Lamenting with a piteous cry: "O Rama, Rama," thus said he, "My son, thou hast forsaken me. High bliss awaits those favoured men Left living in Ayodhya then, Whose eyes shall see my son once more Returning when the time is o'er." Then came the night, whose hated gloom Fell on him like the night of doom. At midnight Dasaratha cried To Queen Kausalya by his side: "I see thee not, Kausalya; lay Thy gentle hand in mine, I pray. When Rama left his home my sight Went with him, nor returns to-night."Ramayana 2.227 · Ramayana · 2
Ramayana 2.227
Ramayana · translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith
Themes in this passage
ChildrenAnxietyGriefJoyLonelinessPrayerThe SoulSpeech
Children in other traditions
The same theme, as Christianity, Islam and Hellenism address it.
These are the children of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz;1 Chronicles 5:14 · Bible · 1 Chronicles
Or hath He daughters whereas ye have sons?Quran 52:39 · Quran · The Mountain
they reached the low lying city of Lacedaemon, where they drove straight to the abode of Menelaus36 [and found him in his own house, feasting with his many clansmen in honour of the wedding of his son, and also of his daughter, whom he was marrying to the son of that valiant warrior Achilles. He had given his consent and promised her to him while he was still at Troy, and now the gods were bringing the marriage about; so he was sending her with chariots and horses to the city of the Myrmidons over whom Achilles’ son was reigning. For his only son he had found a bride from Sparta,37 the daughter of Alector. This son, Megapenthes, was born to him of a bondwoman, for heaven vouchsafed Helen no more children after she had borne Hermione, who was fair as golden Venus herself.Odyssey 4.2 · Odyssey · 4
While thus they strive, Tlepolemus the great,[153] Urged by the force of unresisted fate, Burns with desire Sarpedon’s strength to prove; Alcides’ offspring meets the son of Jove. Sheathed in bright arms each adverse chief came on. Jove’s great descendant, and his greater son. Prepared for combat, ere the lance he toss’d, The daring Rhodian vents his haughty boast:Iliad 5.66 · Iliad · 5
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