Shloka 2.63.16
दशरथस्य शोकानुचिन्तनं शब्धवेधि-दोषस्मरणं च (Daśaratha’s grief, karmic reflection, and the remembered ‘śabdavedhī’ misdeed)
उष्णमन्तर्दधे सद्य स्स्निग्धा ददृशिरे घनाः।ततो जहृषिरे सर्वे भेकसारङ्गबर्हिणः।।2.63.16।।
upāsya ca rasān bhaumān staptvā ca jagad aṃśubhiḥ | paretācaritāṃ bhīmāṃ ravir āviśate diśam || 2.63.15 ||
Having drawn up the earth’s juices and scorched the world with his rays, the Sun entered the dreadful southern quarter—said to be the path frequented by the departed.
At that time the heat subsided, glistening clouds appeared. The frogs, geese and peacocks began to rejoice.
Dharma is framed as cosmic order: time moves inevitably, and human beings must act rightly within that order, remembering life’s impermanence and accountability.
The verse sets the time of day/seasonal transition: the sun sets toward the southern quarter, a traditional direction associated with Yama and the departed.
A reflective sobriety is emphasized—recognizing the inevitability of time and death, which underlies responsible, truth-bound action (satya) in the human sphere.