Shloka 2.64.14

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

Devanagari script

भगवंश्चापहस्तोऽहं सरयूतीरमागतः।जिघांसुश्श्वापदं कञ्चिन्निपाने चाऽगतं गजम्।।।।

Transliteration

bhagavaṃś cāpahasto 'haṃ sarayūtīram āgataḥ | jighāṃsuḥ śvāpadaṃ kañcin nipāne cāgataṃ gajam ||

Translation

O venerable one, bow in hand I went to the bank of the Sarayū, intending to kill a wild beast—an elephant that had come to the watering place.

Context

Wishing to hunt a wild elephant coming down to the water hole for drinking, I went to the bank of Sarayu, bow in hand, O revered sage!

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Sarayū River
• bow (cāpa)
• elephant (gaja)
• water-hole (nipāna)

FAQs

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

It raises the ethical tension between kṣatriya pursuits (hunting/weapon-bearing) and the duty to avoid careless harm—dharma requires vigilance so power does not become violence.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha begins recounting the circumstances of the accident: he went hunting by the Sarayū with his bow.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Candor in recounting facts—he narrates the chain of intent and setting without concealment.