Shloka 2.64.36

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

Devanagari script

इमामन्धां च वृद्धां च मातरं ते तपस्विनीम्।कथं वत्स भरिष्यामि कृपणां पुत्रगर्धिनीम्।।।।

Transliteration

imām andhāṃ ca vṛddhāṃ ca mātaraṃ te tapasvinīm | kathaṃ vatsa bhariṣyāmi kṛpaṇāṃ putragardhinīm ||

Translation

My child, how shall I support this mother of yours—blind and aged, wretched in her austerity—who yearns only for her son?

Context

'O son! how can I support your wretched and pitiable mother, who is blind, old and yearning for her son?

Characters & Entities

• ascetic father
• Śravaṇa’s mother
• blindness (andhatva)
• old age (vṛddhatva)

FAQs

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

Protection of the vulnerable: dharma demands care for the blind and elderly; the son’s role as protector is central, and his loss becomes an ethical catastrophe for dependents.

What is the narrative situation?

The father’s grief turns to fear for the mother’s future—she is blind, old, and emotionally dependent on the son.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Compassionate responsibility—Śravaṇa is implied to have been the sustaining support for his mother.