Shloka 2.64.18

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

Devanagari script

ततस्तस्यैव वचनादुपेत्य परितप्यतः।स मया सहसा बाण उधृतो मर्मतस्तदा।।।।

Transliteration

tatas tasyaiva vacanād upetya paritapyataḥ | sa mayā sahasā bāṇa udhṛto marmatas tadā ||

Translation

Then, at his own request, I went up to him as he writhed in agony, and at once I drew out that arrow from his vital spot.

Context

Then I approached him. He was suffering from excruciating pain. I pulled out at his word the arrow from his chest.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Śravaṇa (implicit ‘he’)
• arrow (bāṇa)
• vital spot (marma)

FAQs

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

Even after wrongdoing, dharma demands immediate compassionate response to suffering—rendering aid and obeying the victim’s last requests.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha reaches the wounded ascetic and removes the arrow at the ascetic’s instruction.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Responsiveness to suffering—an attempt to alleviate pain, though it cannot undo the harm.