Shloka 2.64.13

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

Devanagari script

क्षत्रियोऽहं दशरथो नाहं पुत्रो महात्मनः।सज्जनावमतं दुःखमिदं प्राप्तं स्वकर्मजम्।।।।

Transliteration

kṣatriyo 'haṃ daśaratho nāhaṃ putro mahātmanaḥ | sajjanāvamataṃ duḥkham idaṃ prāptaṃ svakarmajam ||

Translation

I am Daśaratha, a kṣatriya; I am not the son of that great-souled one. This sorrow—blameworthy in the eyes of the virtuous—has come upon me as the fruit of my own deed.

Context

O magnanimous sage! I am a kshatriya known as Dasaratha. I am not your son. A pathetic incident has been caused by my own action, condemnable by the virtuous.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• kṣatriya (social duty)
• mahātmā (the sage/ascetic father)

FAQs

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

Acceptance of karmic responsibility: dharma is not only status (kṣatriya) but also owning the consequences of one’s actions, especially when they violate the expectations of the virtuous.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha identifies himself and frames the tragedy as a moral failing arising from his own act.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Honest self-incrimination and humility—he does not hide behind rank and acknowledges blame.