Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 64, Shloka 21
शब्दवेध्य-अनर्थः, ऋषिशापः, दशरथस्य प्राणत्यागः
The Sound-Target Tragedy, the Sage’s Curse, and Dasaratha’s Death
स तच्च्रुत्वा वचः क्रूरं मयोक्तमघशंसिना।नाशकत्तीव्रमायासमकर्तुं भगवानृषिः।।।।
sa tac chrutvā vacaḥ krūraṃ mayoktam aghaśaṃsinā |
nāśakat tīvram āyāsam akartuṃ bhagavān ṛṣiḥ ||
Mendengar kata-kata keras yang kuucapkan—aku, pengaku pelaku dosa—sang resi yang mulia tak mampu menahan gelombang duka yang amat pedih.
The venerable sage heard my cruel words about the sinful act and was not able to seriously react. (He was stunned).
FAQs
Dharma recognizes the real human cost of wrongdoing: truth must be spoken, but it also brings rightful grief and consequence.
Daśaratha’s confession reaches the sage, who is overwhelmed and momentarily unable to contain his distress.
Moral seriousness: the sage’s reaction shows that harm to an innocent is not a light matter, even if accidental.