Shloka 2.63.10

दशरथस्य शोकानुचिन्तनं शब्धवेधि-दोषस्मरणं च (Daśaratha’s grief, karmic reflection, and the remembered ‘śabdavedhī’ misdeed)

Devanagari script

सोऽहमाम्रवणं छित्वा पलाशांश्च न्यषेचयम्।रामं फलागमे त्यक्त्वा पश्चाच्छोचामि दुर्मतिः।।2.63.10।।

Transliteration

so ’ham āmravaṇaṃ chitvā palāśāṃś ca nyaṣecayam |

rāmaṃ phalāgame tyaktvā paścāc chocāmi durmatiḥ ||

Translation

I—like one who cuts down a mango grove and waters palāśa trees—have, in my folly, cast away Rāma at the very season of fruition, and now I grieve afterward.

Context

So I have cut the mango trees and watered palasa trees. In utter foolishness, I have banished Rama at the time of fruition and regretting later.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kausalyā
• Rāma
• āmravaṇa (mango grove)
• palāśa

FAQs

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

Dharma is framed as discernment (viveka): protecting what is truly valuable (Rāma) rather than sacrificing it due to error, pressure, or delusion—actions bring inevitable remorse.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha laments Rāma’s exile using a metaphor of misdirected cultivation, admitting that he rejected what would have brought lasting good.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthfulness in self-assessment: Daśaratha openly calls himself durmati (foolish), acknowledging fault rather than justifying it.