Shloka 2.64.75
शब्दवेध्य-अनर्थः, ऋषिशापः, दशरथस्य प्राणत्यागः (The Sound-Target Tragedy, the Sage’s Curse, and Dasaratha’s Death)
अयमात्मभवश्शोको मामनाथमचेतनम्।संसादयति वेगेन यथा कूलं नदीरयः।।।।
ayam ātmabhavaḥ śoko mām anātham acetanaṃ | saṃsādayati vegena yathā kūlaṃ nadīrayaḥ ||
This grief, born from myself, is swiftly wearing me down—like a river’s current rapidly erodes its bank—leaving me helpless and insensible.
This self-created grief is rapidly destroying me like the bank of a river eroded by its swift current, leaving me helpless and insensible.
It highlights accountability: Daśaratha names his sorrow as ‘self-born’, implying that inner states and past choices have consequences. Dharma involves owning one’s responsibility rather than shifting blame.
Daśaratha’s lament continues as he feels his vitality being swept away by grief after consenting to Rāma’s exile.
Self-reflection: even in anguish, he recognizes the suffering as arising from his own situation and decisions.