Shloka 2.63.39

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

Devanagari script

तं देशमहमागम्य दीनसत्त्वस्सुदुर्मनाः।अपश्यमिषुणा तीरे सरय्वास्तापसं हतम्।।2.63.38।।अवकीर्ण जटाभारं प्रविद्धकलशोदकम्।पांसुशोणितदिग्धाङ्गं शयानं शल्यपीडितम्।।2.63.39।।

Transliteration

sa mām udvīkṣya netrābhyāṃ trastam asvasthacetasaṃ | ity uvāca tataḥ krūraṃ didhakṣann iva tejasā || 2.63.40 ||

Translation

Seeing me frightened and shaken in mind, he looked up with both eyes as though to burn me with his radiance, and then spoke: “Cruel indeed!”

Context

With dissipated energy and intensely troubled mind, I reached the bank of river Sarayu and there I saw the ascetic lying struck by the arrow and with scattered locks of hair. The water pitcher was thrown away and his body smeared with blood and dust as he lay on the ground.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Śravaṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma includes truthful moral speech: the wounded ascetic names the act as cruel, affirming that power and weapons must be governed by discernment and restraint.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha comes near; Śravaṇa looks at him and condemns the deed as cruel.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral clarity: even in pain, Śravaṇa speaks truthfully and directly about wrongdoing.