Shloka 2.63.26

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

Devanagari script

अमुञ्चं निशितं बाणमहमाशीविषोपमम्।तत्र वागुषसि व्यक्ता प्रादुरासीद्वनौकसः।।2.63.26।।हाहेति पततस्तोये बाणाभिहतमर्मणः।।2.63.27।।

Transliteration

tato 'haṃ śaram udhṛtya dīptam āśīviṣopamam |

śabdaṃ prati gaja-prepsur abhilakṣya tv apātayam || 2.63.25 ||

Translation

Then, longing to bring down the elephant, I seized an arrow—gleaming like a venomous serpent—and, taking aim toward the sound, let it fly.

Context

Then I discharged a sharp shaft like a venomous serpent. In the morning twilight I saw that the shaft had hit the vital part of the body of a forest dweller and his cry of 'Alas!', was clearly heard as he fell in the water.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kausalyā
• arrow (śara/bāṇa)
• elephant (gaja)

FAQs

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

Desire-driven action (prepsu—craving the kill) can eclipse discernment; dharma requires verifying before using force.

What is the narrative situation?

Mistaking the water-sound for an elephant, Daśaratha aims at the sound and releases his arrow.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Negative exemplar: lack of restraint and inadequate discrimination (viveka) before violence.