Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 64, Shloka 36
शब्दवेध्य-अनर्थः, ऋषिशापः, दशरथस्य प्राणत्यागः
The Sound-Target Tragedy, the Sage’s Curse, and Dasaratha’s Death
इमामन्धां च वृद्धां च मातरं ते तपस्विनीम्।कथं वत्स भरिष्यामि कृपणां पुत्रगर्धिनीम्।।।।
imām andhāṃ ca vṛddhāṃ ca mātaraṃ te tapasvinīm | kathaṃ vatsa bhariṣyāmi kṛpaṇāṃ putragardhinīm ||
குழந்தையே! உன் தாய்—குருடும் முதுமையும் உடையவள், தவவாழ்வினளாயினும் துன்புறுபவள், மகனை மட்டுமே ஏங்குபவள்—அவளை நான் எவ்வாறு காப்பேன்?
'O son! how can I support your wretched and pitiable mother, who is blind, old and yearning for her son?
FAQs
Protection of the vulnerable: dharma demands care for the blind and elderly; the son’s role as protector is central, and his loss becomes an ethical catastrophe for dependents.
The father’s grief turns to fear for the mother’s future—she is blind, old, and emotionally dependent on the son.
Compassionate responsibility—Śravaṇa is implied to have been the sustaining support for his mother.