Shloka 2.64.59

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

Devanagari script

तदेतच्छिन्तयानेन स्मृतं पापं मया स्वयम्।तदा बाल्यात्कृतं देवि शब्दवेध्यनुशिक्षिणा।।।।

Transliteration

tad etac cintayānena smṛtaṁ pāpaṁ mayā svayam | tadā bālyāt kṛtaṁ devi śabdavedhy-anuśikṣiṇā ||

Translation

Reflecting now, O queen, I myself recall that sin—committed then in youthful folly, while I was training in the skill of shooting by sound.

Context

While reflecting about it now, O Devi (Kausalya)! I recollect this sin committed by me unintentionally, with childish pranks while practising the art of hitting a target by its sound.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kausalyā
• śabdavedhya (shooting by sound)

FAQs

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

Carelessness in skill (especially with weapons) is adharma; dharma demands restraint, right judgment, and protection of life.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha, facing the loss of Rāma, connects his present grief to a remembered youthful act of accidental killing.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Satya and moral self-scrutiny: he does not excuse himself, but names the act as pāpa (wrong) and owns it.