Shloka 2.64.12

शब्दवेध्य-अनर्थः, ऋषिशापः, दशरथस्य प्राणत्यागः (The Sound-Target Tragedy, the Sage’s Curse, and Dasaratha’s Death)

Devanagari script

मनसः कर्म चेष्टाभिरभिसंस्तभ्य वाग्बलम्।आचचक्षे त्वहं तस्मै पुत्रव्यसनजं भयम्।।।।

Transliteration

manasaḥ karma ceṣṭābhir abhisaṃstabhya vāgbalam | ācacakṣe tv ahaṃ tasmai putravyasanajaṃ bhayam ||

Translation

Steadying my power of speech through deliberate effort and controlled thought, I told him—though afraid—the calamity born of his son’s death.

Context

After a lot of effort, with great fear controlling my thoughts and the power of speech, I related to him the calamity that had befallen his son.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• blind sage (Śravaṇa’s father)
• Śravaṇa (implied)

FAQs

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

Satya aligned with responsibility: dharma requires a wrongdoer to disclose the truth and accept its consequences, even when fear makes speech difficult.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha gathers composure and explains to the sage the tragedy that has occurred to the sage’s son.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-control (dama) and truthfulness—he restrains panic to communicate the truth clearly.