Shloka 6.49.16

शरबन्धनविलापः (The Lament under the Net of Arrows)

Devanagari script

बाणाभिहतमर्मत्वान्नशक्नोत्यभिभाषितुम् ।रुजाचाब्रुवतोऽप्यस्यदृष्टिरागेणसूच्यते ।।6.49.16।।

Transliteration

bāṇābhihatamarmatvān na śaknoty abhibhāṣitum |

rujā cābruvato 'py asya dṛṣṭir āgeṇa sūcyate || 6.49.16 ||

Translation

Because his vital points are pierced by arrows, he cannot speak; yet though he says nothing, his pain is revealed by his eyes and their fevered redness.

Context

"Struck in the vital parts by the arrows, it is not possible for you to speak, but your anguish is indicated in your looks."

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa
• Arrows (bāṇa)

FAQs

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

Dharma as compassion-in-action begins with attentive seeing: Rāma reads suffering even without words, implying a moral duty to respond to pain that cannot be articulated.

What is the narrative situation?

Lakṣmaṇa is too severely wounded to speak; Rāma infers his agony from visible signs, especially the eyes.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Karunā (compassion) and sensitivity: Rāma’s careful perception of Lakṣmaṇa’s suffering.