Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 63, Shloka 41
दशरथस्य शोकानुचिन्तनं शब्धवेधि-दोषस्मरणं च
Daśaratha’s grief, karmic reflection, and the remembered ‘śabdavedhī’ misdeed
किं तवापकृतं राजन्वने निवसता मया।जिहीर्षुरम्भो गुर्वुर्थं यदहं ताडितस्त्वया।।2.63.41।।
kiṃ tavāpakṛtaṃ rājan vane nivasatā mayā | jihīrṣur ambho gurv-arthaṃ yad ahaṃ tāḍitas tvayā || 2.63.41 ||
王よ、森に住む私があなたに何の過ちを犯したというのですか。年長の者のために水を汲みに来ただけなのに、あなたは私を打ちました。
After the banishment of Rama the king spent the sixth night, recalling the evil deed done by him in the past.
FAQs
It asserts the king’s dharma of protection: royal force must not strike the innocent. The verse also elevates satya—plain truth about one’s harmless intent—as a moral witness against unjust violence.
Śravaṇa addresses the archer as “king,” stating he was merely collecting water for his parents when he was shot.
Innocent service and truthfulness: Śravaṇa’s act is motivated by care for elders, and he speaks without deceit even in suffering.