Shloka 1.2.11

द्वितीयः सर्गः — श्लोकप्रादुर्भावः (The Manifestation of the Śloka)

Devanagari script

तं शोणितपरीताङ्गं वेष्टमानं महीतले ।भार्या तु निहतं दृष्ट्वा रुराव करुणां गिरम् ।।1.2.11।। वियुक्ता पतिना तेन द्विजेन सहचारिणा ।ताम्रशीर्षेण मत्तेन पत्रिणा सहितेन वै ।।1.2.12।।

Transliteration

taṃ śoṇitaparītāṅgaṃ veṣṭamānaṃ mahītale |

bhāryā tu nihataṃ dṛṣṭvā rurāva karuṇāṃ giram ||1.2.11||

Translation

Seeing her mate slain—his limbs drenched in blood and writhing on the ground—the female cried out in a voice that stirred pity.

Context

The female companion saw the male bird struck down by the hunter and rolling on the earth, drenched in blood. Separated from her winged comparion with copper-crested head intoxicated with her love, the female companion lifted a piteous wail.

Characters & Entities

• female krauñcī (female bird)
• male krauñca (male bird)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes responsiveness to suffering: the lament of the innocent reveals the moral weight of harm and calls forth compassion rather than indifference.

What is the narrative situation?

The female bird witnesses her partner dying on the earth and cries out; her grief becomes the emotional trigger for Vālmīki’s response.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The virtue highlighted is karuṇā—sensitivity to another’s pain—which will soon manifest as Vālmīki’s compassionate indignation.