Shloka 2.64.5

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

Devanagari script

तत्राहं दुर्बलावन्धौ वृद्धावपरिणायकौ। अपश्यं तस्य पितरौ लूनपक्षाविव द्विजौ।।2.64.4।।तन्निमित्ताभिरासीनौ कथाभिरपरिश्रमौ।तामाशां मत्कृते हीनावुदासीनावनाथवत्।।2.64.5।।

Transliteration

tatrāhaṃ durbalāv andhau vṛddhāv apariṇāyakau | apaśyaṃ tasya pitarau lūnapakṣāv iva dvijau ||

an-nimittābhir āsīnau kathābhir apariśramau | tām āśāṃ mat-kṛte hīnāv udāsīnāv anāthavat ||

Translation

There I saw his parents—frail, blind, and aged, without any protector—like birds whose wings had been cut. They sat idly, speaking only of him; and because of what I had done, they were deprived of their hope, desolate like the orphaned.

Context

There I found his weak, blind, old parents. With no supporter, they looked like birds with clipped wings. They sat there helplessly like orphans and passively talking about their son, their only hope that I have deprived them of.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• ascetic’s parents

FAQs

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

Dharma requires awareness of the vulnerable: harming the dependent (even unintentionally) creates grave moral consequence and demands truthful acknowledgment.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha describes seeing the boy’s aged, blind parents—now helpless and hope-stricken because their only support is gone.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Satya through confession and moral clarity: Daśaratha openly recognizes the suffering caused by his own act.