Shloka 1.2.15

द्वितीयः सर्गः — श्लोकप्रादुर्भावः (The Manifestation of the Śloka)

Devanagari script

मा निषाद प्रतिष्ठां त्वमगमश्शाश्वतीस्समा: ।यत्क्रौञ्चमिथुनादेकमवधी: काममोहितम् ।।1.2.15।। 15

Transliteration

mā niṣāda pratiṣṭhāṃ tvam agamaḥ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ |

yat krauñcamithunād ekam avadhīḥ kāmamohitam ||1.2.15||

Translation

“O hunter, may you never attain lasting honor for long years—since you killed one of the krauñca pair while it was deluded by love.”

Context

"O fowler, since you have killed one of the pair of infatuated kraunchas you will be permanently deprived of your position".

Characters & Entities

• Vālmīki
• niṣāda (hunter)
• krauñca-mithuna (pair of krauñca birds)
• kāma (desire/love)

FAQs

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

Honor (pratiṣṭhā) is incompatible with cruelty; violating dharma—killing an innocent being, especially at a vulnerable moment—leads to loss of social and moral standing.

What is the narrative situation?

Vālmīki directly addresses the hunter and utters an imprecation that becomes the celebrated first śloka.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Satya-informed moral courage: Vālmīki speaks a hard truth against wrongdoing, rooted in compassion for the victim.