Shloka 2.64.42

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

Devanagari script

यान्ति शूरा गतिं यां च सङ्ग्रामेष्वनिवर्तिनः।हतास्त्वभिमुखाः पुत्र गतिं तां परमां व्रज।।2.64.42।।

Transliteration

yānti śūrā gatiṃ yāṃ ca saṅgrāmeṣv anivartinaḥ |

hatās tv abhimukhāḥ putra gatiṃ tāṃ paramāṃ vraja ||2.64.42||

Translation

The state attained by warriors who do not retreat in battle—those who fall facing the foe—attain that supreme state; go to it, my son.

Characters & Entities

• Śravaṇa-kumāra

FAQs

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

It affirms a dharmic valuation of courage and steadfastness: not retreating from one’s duty (here compared to battle) is linked with a higher destiny.

What is the narrative situation?

The father consoles and honors his son by equating his undeserved death with the merit of heroic death, granting him an elevated spiritual destination.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness (dhṛti) and honorable facing of fate—cast in the idiom of warrior ethics.