Shloka 2.63.5

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

Devanagari script

स राजा पुत्रशोकार्तः स्मृत्वा दुष्कृतमात्मनः।कौसल्यां पुत्रशोकार्तामिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।।2.63.5।।

Transliteration

sa rājā putraśokārtaḥ smṛtvā duṣkṛtam ātmanaḥ |

kausalyāṃ putraśokārtām idaṃ vacanam abravīt ||2.63.5||

Translation

That king, tormented by grief for his son and remembering his own past wrongdoing, spoke these words to Kauśalyā, who was likewise stricken with sorrow for her son.

Context

King Dasaratha distressed by the separation from his son, pondered over his past misdeed, and said to helpless Kausalya, who was equally grieving over the separation from Rama:

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kauśalyā
• Rāma (implied as the son)

FAQs

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

It frames suffering as ethically meaningful remembrance: acknowledging past wrongdoing is the first step toward truth (satya) and moral reckoning.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha, grieving Rāma’s separation, recalls an earlier sin and begins to narrate it to Kauśalyā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral self-awareness: Daśaratha turns inward, recognizing his own culpability rather than blaming fate alone.