Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 18
Mahārāja Sagara, Kapila Muni, and the Deliverance of the Sixty Thousand Sons
अयोध्यावासिन: सर्वे बालकान् पुनरागतान् । दृष्ट्वा विसिस्मिरे राजन् राजा चाप्यन्वतप्यत ॥ १८ ॥
ayodhyā-vāsinaḥ sarve bālakān punar āgatān dṛṣṭvā visismire rājan rājā cāpy anvatapyata
O King Parīkṣit, when all the inhabitants of Ayodhyā saw that their boys had come back to life, they were astounded, and King Sagara greatly lamented the absence of his son.
FAQs
This verse shows that even a king may feel deep remorse when confronted with the consequences of events—highlighting that righteous leadership includes accountability and inner correction.
Because their unexpected return appeared extraordinary, the people of Ayodhyā were filled with wonder at what they saw, indicating a dramatic turn in the narrative.
When outcomes reveal our mistakes, we should honestly acknowledge them, feel appropriate remorse, and realign our actions with dharma rather than defending wrongdoing.