Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 102, Shloka 2
पितृमरणश्रवणं जलक्रिया च
Hearing of Daśaratha’s death and the libation rites at Mandākinī
तं तु वज्रमिवोत्सृष्टमाहवे दानवारिणावाग्वज्रंभरते नोक्त ममनोज्ञं परन्तपः।।।।प्रगृह्य रामो बाहू वैपुष्पिताग्रो यथा द्रुमः।वने परशुना कृत्तस्तथा भुवि पपात ह।।।।
taṃ tu vajram ivotsṛṣṭam āhave dānavāriṇā |
vāg-vajraṃ bharatenoktaṃ mama nojñaṃ parantapaḥ ||
pragṛhya rāmo bāhū vai puṣpitāgro yathā drumaḥ |
vane paraśunā kṛttas tathā bhuvi papāta ha ||
Những lời như lôi đình do Bharata thốt ra, đau thấu lòng Rāma, tựa lưỡi sét của Indra phóng giữa chiến địa diệt kẻ thù chư thiên. Rāma, bậc thiêu đốt quân địch, dang rộng đôi tay rồi ngã xuống đất, như cây rừng ngọn hoa rực nở bị rìu chặt, đổ ập trên mặt đất.
On hearing the thunder-like words spoken by Bharata afflicting the mind, like thethunderbolt hurled by Indra (enemy of demons) in a battle, Rama, the scorcher of enemies, stretching forth both his arms, fell down on the ground like a tree with flowering tops severed by an axe in the forest.
FAQs
It underscores the moral gravity of truthful news: speech that conveys reality (even when painful) can strike like a thunderbolt, yet it is necessary for dharmic response and right action.
Bharata’s report (including Dasharatha’s death) hits Rama with overwhelming force, and he collapses in shock and grief.
Bharata’s commitment to truth-bearing (even when it hurts), and Rama’s deeply human sensitivity—his love and reverence make the blow unbearable.