Shloka 1.2.3

द्वितीयः सर्गः — श्लोकप्रादुर्भावः (The Manifestation of the Śloka)

Devanagari script

स मुहूर्तं गते तस्मिन्देवलोकं मुनिस्तदा ।जगाम तमसातीरं जाह्नव्यास्त्वविदूरत: ।।1.2.3।।

Transliteration

śocann eva muhuḥ krauñcīm upaślokaṃ imaṃ punaḥ | jagāv antargata-manā bhūtvā śokaparāyaṇaḥ || 1.2.29 ||

Translation

Lamenting again and again for the female krauñca, and turning inward—wholly absorbed in grief—he repeatedly recited this newly arisen śloka.

Context

After Narada had gone to devaloka, sage Valmiki reached the bank of river Tamasa which is not very far from the Ganges for morning ablutions.

Characters & Entities

• Vālmīki
• krauñcī (female krauñca bird)
• upaśloka/śloka

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as compassion toward suffering beings; grief becomes a morally charged response to adharma (cruelty), and that truthful emotion gives birth to sacred speech.

What is the narrative situation?

After witnessing the krauñca pair’s tragedy, Vālmīki, overcome with sorrow, keeps repeating the spontaneous verse that arose from his lament.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Karunā (compassion) and inner reflection—Vālmīki’s sensitivity to injustice and his contemplative mind.