Shloka 1.2.14

द्वितीयः सर्गः — श्लोकप्रादुर्भावः (The Manifestation of the Śloka)

Devanagari script

तत: करुणवेदित्वादधर्मोऽयमिति द्विज: ।निशाम्य रुदतीं क्रौञ्चीमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ।।1.2.14।।

Transliteration

tataḥ karuṇaveditvād adharmaḥ ayam iti dvijaḥ |

niśāmya rudatīṃ krauñcīm idaṃ vacanam abravīt ||1.2.14||

Translation

Then the sage, stirred by compassion, recognizing, “This is adharma,” and hearing the krauñcī’s crying, spoke these words.

Context

Having heard the wailing of the female bird, the sage (Valmiki) moved to pity at this irreligious act uttered the following words.

Characters & Entities

• Vālmīki (dvija/ṛṣi)
• krauñcī (female bird)

FAQs

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

Dharma involves truthful moral discernment (satya as moral clarity): recognizing an act as adharma and responding from compassion rather than apathy.

What is the narrative situation?

Hearing the female bird’s lament, Vālmīki identifies the killing as unrighteous and prepares to utter a condemning statement.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral discernment joined with compassion—he names adharma plainly and is moved to speak for justice.