Shloka 2.64.34

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

Devanagari script

को मां सन्द्यामुपास्यैव स्नात्वा हुतहुताशनः।श्लाघयिष्यत्युपासीनः पुत्र शोकभयार्दितम्।।।।

Transliteration

ko māṃ sandhyām upāsyaiva snātvā hutahutāśanaḥ | ślāghayiṣyaty upāsīnaḥ putra śokabhayārditam ||

Translation

O son, tormented by sorrow and fear as I am—who will now attend to me, after bathing, worshipping at Sandhyā, and offering oblations into the sacred fire, seated close by my side?

Context

'O son! I am tortured with sorrow and fear. Who will serve me from now on after the ablution and the morning worship of Sandhya, followed by oblations to the sacrificial fire?

Characters & Entities

• ascetic father
• Sandhyā worship (sandhyā-upāsanā)
• sacred fire (hutāśana)
• oblations (huta)

FAQs

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

Interdependence in dharmic life: ritual observance (sandhyā, agnihotra-like offerings) is paired with caregiving; dharma includes service to elders, not only rites.

What is the narrative situation?

The father foresees the collapse of his daily religious life and personal care without the son’s assistance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Service (sevā) and steadfast ritual discipline—virtues expected in a son devoted to ascetic parents.