Shloka 2.105.29

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

Devanagari script

यथा हि सार्थं गच्छन्तं ब्रूयात्कश्चित्पथि स्थितः।अहमप्यागमिष्यामि पृष्ठतो भवता मिति।।2.105.29।।एवं पूर्वैर्गतो मार्गः पितृपैतामहो ध्रुवः।तमापन्नः कथं शोचेद्यस्य नास्ति व्यतिक्रमः।।2.105.30।।

Transliteration

nātra kaścid yathābhāvaṃ prāṇī samabhivartate | tena tasmin na sāmarthyaṃ pretasyāsty anuśocataḥ || 2.105.28 ||

Translation

Here no living being proceeds wholly as he wishes; therefore, in that matter, there is no power in grieving for the dead.

Context

Like a man standing on the wayside says to a passing caravan, 'I am following you', and follows them, the road taken by our fathers and forefathers is certain for every one and cannot be violated by a person treading that path. (So) why should a man grieve?

Characters & Entities

• the dead (preta)

FAQs

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

Acceptance of what cannot be changed: dharma asks one to perform duties for the living and the departed, not to be consumed by futile grief.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata argues that human control is limited; thus lamentation cannot alter death’s fact.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Practical wisdom—directing emotion toward meaningful action rather than helpless sorrow.