Shloka 2.39.38

एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः — Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma

Devanagari script

संवासात्परुषं किञ्चिदज्ञानाद्वापि यत्कृतम्।तन्मे समनुजानीत सर्वाश्चामन्त्रयामि वः।।2.39.38।।

Transliteration

manye khalu mayā pūrvaṃ vivatsā bahavaḥ kṛtāḥ | prāṇino hiṃsitā vāpi tasmād idam upasthitam || 2.39.4 ||

Translation

“Surely, in the past I must have made many bereft of their children, or else harmed living beings; therefore I think this present misfortune has come upon me.”

Context

If I have been harsh towards you, on account of our living together or through ignorance may you forgive me. I (now) seek leave of you all.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Moral causality: suffering is contemplated as a consequence of past harm (hiṃsā) done to others, urging accountability and repentance rather than self-justification.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha, devastated by the impending exile of Rāma, interprets his present calamity as the fruit of earlier wrongdoing.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-scrutiny and remorse—Daśaratha turns inward, acknowledging possible past violence and its ethical repercussions.