Shloka 1.2.13

द्वितीयः सर्गः — श्लोकप्रादुर्भावः (The Manifestation of the Śloka)

Devanagari script

तदा तु तं द्विजं दृष्ट्वा निषादेन निपातितम् ।ऋषेर्धर्मात्मनस्तस्य कारुण्यं समपद्यत ।।1.2.13।।

Transliteration

tadā tu taṃ dvijaṃ dṛṣṭvā niṣādena nipātitam |

ṛṣer dharmātmanas tasya kāruṇyaṃ samapadyata ||1.2.13||

Translation

At that moment, seeing the dvija bird felled by the hunter, the righteous-hearted sage was filled with compassion.

Context

Then, having seen the bird struck down by the fowler, the pious sage Valmiki was filled with compassion.

Characters & Entities

• Vālmīki (ṛṣi)
• niṣāda (hunter)
• dvija (bird)

FAQs

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

True dharma is not cold legality but a righteous disposition that naturally responds with compassion to unjust suffering.

What is the narrative situation?

Vālmīki witnesses the killing and internally undergoes a moral-emotional awakening expressed as compassion.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Dharmātmatā—inner righteousness—shown by immediate karuṇā toward the harmed innocent.