Shloka 2.105.23

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

Devanagari script

गात्रेषु वलयः प्राप्ता श्श्वेताश्चैव शिरोरुहाः।जरया पुरुषो जीर्णः किं हि कृत्वा प्रभावयेत्।।2.105.23।।

Transliteration

gātreṣu valayaḥ prāptāḥ śvetāś caiva śiroruhāḥ | jarayā puruṣo jīrṇaḥ kiṃ hi kṛtvā prabhāvayet ||2.105.23||

Translation

Wrinkles come upon the limbs, and the hair of the head turns white. When a man is worn down by age, what indeed can he do to assert mastery?

Context

Wrinkels form on the body and hair turns grey in old age. In this way, decayed with age, what can a man do to have control over death.

FAQs

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

It teaches humility and right priorities: since aging is unstoppable, dharma is to cultivate virtue and truth rather than chasing illusory control.

What is the narrative situation?

The speaker points to visible signs of aging to argue that human power is limited and thus grief should be tempered by wisdom.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Anasakti (non-attachment): loosening identification with the body and its inevitable decline.