Valmiki Ramayana 2.63.7 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 63, Shloka 7
दशरथस्य शोकानुचिन्तनं शब्धवेधि-दोषस्मरणं च
Daśaratha’s grief, karmic reflection, and the remembered ‘śabdavedhī’ misdeed
गुरुलाघवमर्थानामारम्भे कर्मणां फलम्।दोषं वा यो न जानाति न बाल इति होच्यते।।2.63.7।।
gurulāghavam arthānām ārambhe karmaṇāṃ phalam | doṣaṃ vā yo na jānāti na bāla iti hocyate || 2.63.7 ||
On n’appelle pas simple enfant celui qui, dès l’amorce des actes, comprend la gravité ou la légèreté de leurs fruits—qu’il s’agisse d’avantage ou de faute.
He who, at the commencement of any action, does not foresee the good or evil consequences of his action in considered a child.
FAQs
Dharma requires viveka (discernment): ethical maturity means anticipating consequences and evaluating harms and benefits before acting.
Daśaratha generalizes a moral lesson from his past mistake, warning against acting without foresight.
Prudence and discernment (viveka): the capacity to judge outcomes at the start.
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