Valmiki Ramayana 2.64.2: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 64, Shloka 2
शब्दवेध्य-अनर्थः, ऋषिशापः, दशरथस्य प्राणत्यागः
The Sound-Target Tragedy, the Sage’s Curse, and Dasaratha’s Death
तदज्ञानान्महत्पापं कृत्वाहं सङ्कुलेन्द्रियः।एकस्त्वचिन्तयं बुध्या कथं नु सुकृतं भवेत्।।।।
tad ajñānān mahat pāpaṃ kṛtvāhaṃ saṅkulendriyaḥ |
ekas tv acintayaṃ buddhyā kathaṃ nu sukṛtaṃ bhavet ||
অজ্ঞানতাৰে মই সেই মহাপাপ কৰি পেলালোঁ; মোৰ ইন্দ্ৰিয়সমূহ ব্যাকুল হৈ উঠিল। একেলগে মই মনতে ভাবিলোঁ—‘কেনেকৈ কিবা সুকৃত, কিবা প্ৰায়শ্চিত্ত হ’ব পাৰে?’
Having committed the sin unwittingly, I was greatly agitated. I reflected in my mind asto how to atone for this great sin.
FAQs
Dharma here is moral accountability: even when harm is unintended, one must seek a righteous response—atonement, truthfulness, and corrective action.
Daśaratha recalls the moment after accidentally killing a youth, when he is shaken and begins searching for how to make amends.
Conscience and responsibility: the king’s immediate remorse and desire to act rightly despite the act being accidental.
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