Shloka 5
Manoḥ Carita
The Account of Manu Vaivasvata and the Mātsyaka Flood Narrative
स तेन निहतो<रण्ये मन्यमानेन वै मृगम् । व्यथित: कर्म तत् कृत्वा शोकोपहतचेतन:,राजकुमारने उन्हें हिंसक पशु ही समझा और उस वनमें अपने बाणोंसे उन्हें मार डाला। अज्ञानवश यह पापकर्म करके वह राजकुमार व्यथित हो शोकसे मूर्च्छित हो गया
sa tena nihato 'raṇye manyamānena vai mṛgam | vyathitaḥ karma tat kṛtvā śokopahatacetanaḥ ||
Thinking him to be a wild beast, he shot and killed him there in the forest. Having committed that deed, the prince was shaken with remorse; his mind, overwhelmed by grief, sank into a swoon.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
A grave wrong can arise from ignorance and misperception; even when unintended, harmful action carries moral weight, and the immediate inner consequence is remorse and grief. The verse highlights the ethical demand for vigilance and restraint, especially where life is at stake.
In Markandeya’s narration, a prince in the forest mistakes a person for a wild animal and kills him. Realizing the deed, he becomes deeply distressed and is overcome by sorrow, losing composure.