Shloka 2.76.3

दशरथस्य अन्त्येष्टि-विधानम् — Dasaratha’s Funeral Rites and Ayodhya’s Mourning

Devanagari script

वसिष्ठस्य वच श्शृत्वा भरतो धारणां गतः।प्रेतकार्याणि सर्वाणि कारयामास धर्मवित्।।2.76.3।।

Transliteration

krauñcīnām iva nārīṇāṃ ninādas tatra śuśruve |

ārtānāṃ karuṇaṃ kāle krośantīnāṃ sahasraśaḥ || 2.76.21 ||

Translation

At that time, there was heard the wailing sound of women—thousands of distressed voices crying pitifully—like the piercing calls of female krauñca birds.

Context

On hearing the words of Vasistha, dutiful Bharata regained his steadiness and engaged in the performance of the funeral rites.

Characters & Entities

• women mourners (nārī)
• krauñca birds

FAQs

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

Dharma recognizes human sorrow as natural, yet it frames grief within communal rites—lamentation accompanies, but does not replace, the responsibilities of farewell.

What is the narrative situation?

During the cremation proceedings, the collective mourning of women rises loudly and is poetically compared to krauñca birds.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Compassionate realism—acknowledging suffering as part of human life while continuing the sacred duties of the moment.