Shloka 2.105.21

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

Devanagari script

आत्मानमनुशोच त्वं किमन्यमनुशोचसि।आयुस्ते हीयते यस्य स्थितस्य च गतस्य च।।2.105.21।।

Transliteration

ātmānam anuśoca tvaṃ kim anyam anuśocasi | āyus te hīyate yasya sthitasya ca gatasya ca ||2.105.21||

Translation

Grieve for yourself—why grieve for another? For your own lifespan diminishes whether you stand still or you move about.

Context

Whether you are static or moving, your lifespan decreases. Therefore, you should only grieve about yourself and not for any one else.

FAQs

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

It teaches measured grief and self-governance: excessive lamentation wastes the very life with which one must perform dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

The speaker redirects attention from helpless sorrow to the reality that time is consuming the listener’s own life.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Ātma-saṃyama (self-control): restraining emotion to preserve clarity for righteous action.