Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 63, Shloka 28
दशरथस्य शोकानुचिन्तनं शब्धवेधि-दोषस्मरणं च
Daśaratha’s grief, karmic reflection, and the remembered ‘śabdavedhī’ misdeed
तस्मिन्निपतिते बाणे वागभूत्तत्र मानुषी। कथमस्मद्विधे शस्त्रं निपतेत्तु तपस्विनि।।2.63.28।।
tasmin nipatite bāṇe vāg abhūt tatra mānuṣī |
katham asmad-vidhe śastraṃ nipatet tu tapasvini || 2.63.28 ||
When that arrow struck, a human voice was heard there: “How can a weapon fall upon one like me—an ascetic?”
'I have come to this lonely spot of the river to take water. Who has hit me with this arrow? What (harm) have I done to any one?'
FAQs
Dharma condemns unjust harm: those committed to non-violence and austerity should not become targets of aggression or negligent force.
The wounded ascetic speaks out, questioning the justice of being struck by a weapon.
Moral clarity of the victim—he asserts his tapas (ascetic integrity) and the impropriety of violence against him.