Shloka 2.64.28

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

Devanagari script

नय नौ नृप तं देशमिति मां चाभ्यभाषत।अद्य तं द्रष्टुमिच्छावः पुत्रं पश्चिमदर्शनम्।।2.64.27।।रुधिरेणावसिक्ताङ्गं प्रकीर्णाजिनवाससम्।शयानं भुवि निस्संज्ञं धर्म राजवशं गतम्।।2.64.28।।

Transliteration

rudhireṇāvasiktāṅgaṃ prakīrṇājina-vāsasam |

śayānaṃ bhuvi nissaṃjñaṃ dharma-rāja-vaśaṃ gatam ||

Translation

(We wish to see) our son—his limbs spattered with blood, his antelope-skin garment fallen into disarray—lying senseless on the ground, gone under the sway of Dharma-rāja (the Lord of Death).

Context

'O king take us to that place. We wish to have the last look at him, at his garment of antelope skin in disarray, his body spattered with blood, lying on the ground unconscious under the sway of the lord of death'. Thus the sage said to me.

Characters & Entities

• Śravaṇa Kumāra
• Daśaratha
• Dharma-rāja (Yama)
• antelope skin (ajina)

FAQs

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

Actions have moral consequences (karma): the innocent suffer, the guilty must face accountability; death is framed as entry into Dharma-rāja’s domain—an ethical cosmos where deeds matter.

What is the narrative situation?

The bereaved parents ask to be taken to their son’s body, describing his condition as they prepare to behold him one last time.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Parental attachment and truthfulness in grief—an unembellished, factual depiction that intensifies the moral gravity of the event.