Shloka 2.64.16

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

Devanagari script

गत्वा नद्यास्तत स्तीरमपश्यमिषुणा हृदि।विनिर्भिन्नं गतप्राणं शयानं भुवि तापसम्।।।।

Transliteration

gatvā nadyās tataḥ tīram apaśyam iṣuṇā hṛdi | vinirbhinnam gataprāṇaṃ śayānaṃ bhuvi tāpasam ||

Translation

Going then to the riverbank, I saw an ascetic lying on the ground, his chest pierced by an arrow, his life-breath ebbing away.

Context

Thereafter I reached the river bank and beheld an ascetic with an arrow pierced in his chest. He was lying on the ground, his life ebbing away.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• riverbank
• arrow (iṣu/bāṇa)
• ascetic (tāpasa)
• Śravaṇa (implicit as the ascetic)

FAQs

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

The sanctity of innocent life and ascetic virtue: dharma is violated when reckless action harms the harmless, especially one devoted to austerity and service.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha approaches the spot and discovers the victim is not an animal but a human ascetic.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Recognition and remorse—the moment of realizing the true nature of the harm.