Shloka 2.105.18

भरतस्य प्रार्थना—रामस्य कालधर्मोपदेशः (Bharata’s Petition and Rama’s Instruction on Time and Mortality)

Devanagari script

यथाऽगारं दृढस्थूणं जीर्णं भूत्वाऽवसीदति।तथैव सीदन्ति नरा जरामृत्युवशं गताः।।2.105.18।।

Transliteration

yathā phalānāṃ pakvānāṃ nānyatra patanād bhayam | evaṃ narasya jātasya nānyatra maraṇād bhayam ||2.105.17||

Translation

Just as a ripened fruit fears nothing but its fall, so too a person, once born, has no final fear except death.

Context

Even a house constructed with sturdy pillars gets dilapidated and ultimately decays. In the same way people under the sway of old age and death are destroyed (at last).

FAQs

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

It teaches truthful acceptance of mortality (satya-bodha): recognizing death as inevitable helps one live dharmically without panic or delusion.

What is the narrative situation?

The speaker uses a natural metaphor (fruit and falling) to make the inevitability of death emotionally intelligible.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sthairya (steadfastness): courage rooted in realism rather than denial.