Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 64, Shloka 66
शब्दवेध्य-अनर्थः, ऋषिशापः, दशरथस्य प्राणत्यागः
The Sound-Target Tragedy, the Sage’s Curse, and Dasaratha’s Death
चक्षुषा त्वां न पश्यामि स्मृतिर्मम विलुप्यते।दूता वैवस्वतस्यैते कौसल्ये त्वरयन्ति माम्।।।।
cakṣuṣā tvāṃ na paśyāmi smṛtir mama vilupyate | dūtā vaivasvatasyāite kausalyā tvarayanti mām ||
ஓ கௌசல்யா, என் கண்களால் உன்னைப் பார்க்க இயலவில்லை; என் நினைவு மங்குகிறது. வைவர்ஸ்வதன் (யமன்) தூதர்கள் என்னை விரைந்து அழைத்துச் செல்கின்றனர்.
O Kausalya!, I am unable to see you. My memory is failing and the messengers of Yama are hastening me.
FAQs
It teaches awareness of impermanence: worldly roles and relationships are time-bound, so dharma should be practiced without delay and with clarity.
Daśaratha’s senses and memory fail as death approaches; he tells Kausalyā he feels Yama’s agents drawing him away.
Truthfulness about one’s condition and acceptance of fate—Daśaratha speaks plainly, facing death without denial.