Shloka 2.63.33

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

Devanagari script

नाहं तथाऽनु शोचामि जीवितक्षयमात्मनः।मातरं पितरं चोभावनुशोचामि मद्वधे।।2.63.33।।

Transliteration

nāhaṃ tathānuśocāmi jīvitakṣayam ātmanaḥ | mātaraṃ pitaraṃ cobhāv anuśocāmi madvadhe || 2.63.33 ||

Translation

I do not grieve so much for the loss of my own life; rather, I grieve for my mother and father—what will become of them when I am slain.

Context

'I do not regret so much about the loss of my own life as about my mother and father after I am dead.

Characters & Entities

• Śravaṇa
• mother
• father
• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

The verse foregrounds filial dharma: one’s responsibility to protect and support one’s parents. The speaker’s grief is directed not toward himself but toward the suffering his death will cause to those dependent on him.

What is the narrative situation?

After being accidentally shot in the forest, Śravaṇa speaks to the unseen archer (Daśaratha), lamenting that his death will leave his parents helpless.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Selflessness and devotion to parents (pitṛ-mātṛ-bhakti): the speaker values his duty and his parents’ welfare above his own life.