Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 110, Shloka 28
लोकसमुत्पत्ति-वर्णनम् तथा इक्ष्वाकुवंश-प्रशंसा
Cosmogony and Ikshvaku Genealogy as Counsel to Rama
रघोस्तु पुत्रस्तेजस्वी प्रवृद्धः पुरुषादकः।कल्माषपाद स्सौदास इत्येवं प्रथितो भुवि।।।।
raghostu putras tejasvī pravṛddhaḥ puruṣādakaḥ |
kalmāṣapādaḥ saudāsa ity evaṃ prathito bhuvi ||
Raghu’s illustrious son, grown to power, became famed in the world under the names Kalmāṣapāda and Saudāsa—known also as a devourer of men (for a time) through a sage’s curse.
The illustrious son of Raghu became famous in the world under the names of Kalmasapada and Sowdasa. The curse of a sage turned him a devourer of men forsome years.
FAQs
Even a renowned king can fall into adharma through a curse or wrongdoing; the verse frames moral causality and the need for restraint and righteousness in rulership.
A genealogical account of the Ikṣvāku–Raghu line is being recited to situate Rāma within an ancient royal tradition.
The implied virtue is self-control and adherence to dharma in kingship—fame is fragile when conduct deviates from righteousness.