Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 64, Shloka 75
शब्दवेध्य-अनर्थः, ऋषिशापः, दशरथस्य प्राणत्यागः
The Sound-Target Tragedy, the Sage’s Curse, and Dasaratha’s Death
अयमात्मभवश्शोको मामनाथमचेतनम्।संसादयति वेगेन यथा कूलं नदीरयः।।।।
ayam ātmabhavaḥ śoko mām anātham acetanaṃ | saṃsādayati vegena yathā kūlaṃ nadīrayaḥ ||
这由我自身生出的悲痛正迅疾地摧折我——如河流急湍迅速侵蚀河岸——使我无依无助，神识昏沉。
This self-created grief is rapidly destroying me like the bank of a river eroded by its swift current, leaving me helpless and insensible.
FAQs
It highlights accountability: Daśaratha names his sorrow as ‘self-born’, implying that inner states and past choices have consequences. Dharma involves owning one’s responsibility rather than shifting blame.
Daśaratha’s lament continues as he feels his vitality being swept away by grief after consenting to Rāma’s exile.
Self-reflection: even in anguish, he recognizes the suffering as arising from his own situation and decisions.