Shloka 2.63.23

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

Devanagari script

तत्राहं संवृतं वन्यं हतवांस्तीरमागतम्।अन्यं चापि मृगं हिंस्रं शब्दं श्रुत्वाऽभ्युपागतम्।।2.63.23।।

Transliteration

tatrāhaṃ saṃvṛtaṃ vanyaṃ hatavāṃs tīram āgatam | anyaṃ cāpi mṛgaṃ hiṃsraṃ śabdaṃ śrutvā ’bhyupāgatam || 2.63.23 ||

Translation

There, concealed, I killed a wild creature that had come to the riverbank; and I also struck down another fierce animal that approached after I heard its sound.

Context

Hiding and waiting there, following the sounds of animals I killed two animals that had reached the bank of the river.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Riverbank (tīra)
• Wild animals (vanya/mṛga)

FAQs

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

Dharma warns against acting on incomplete knowledge: killing based merely on sound reflects negligence, and negligence (pramāda) is a root of wrongdoing.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha continues his confession: hidden near the riverbank, he shoots creatures by tracking their sounds—setting up the tragic misidentification that follows in the Śravaṇa episode.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthfulness in repentance (satya in confession) is emphasized: Daśaratha openly narrates his own fault, acknowledging the chain of consequences.