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 ||
罪を告白する私が口にしたその残酷な言葉を聞くや、尊き聖仙は、激しい苦悶のうねりを抑えることができなかった。
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.