Shloka 2.64.2
शब्दवेध्य-अनर्थः, ऋषिशापः, दशरथस्य प्राणत्यागः (The Sound-Target Tragedy, the Sage’s Curse, and Dasaratha’s Death)
तदज्ञानान्महत्पापं कृत्वाहं सङ्कुलेन्द्रियः।एकस्त्वचिन्तयं बुध्या कथं नु सुकृतं भवेत्।।।।
tad ajñānān mahat pāpaṃ kṛtvāhaṃ saṅkulendriyaḥ |
ekas tv acintayaṃ buddhyā kathaṃ nu sukṛtaṃ bhavet ||
Through ignorance I committed that great sin, and my senses were thrown into turmoil; alone I pondered: “How might there be some right action—some atonement—for this?”
Having committed the sin unwittingly, I was greatly agitated. I reflected in my mind asto how to atone for this great sin.
Dharma here is moral accountability: even when harm is unintended, one must seek a righteous response—atonement, truthfulness, and corrective action.
Daśaratha recalls the moment after accidentally killing a youth, when he is shaken and begins searching for how to make amends.
Conscience and responsibility: the king’s immediate remorse and desire to act rightly despite the act being accidental.