Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 2

अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः

Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha

Devanagari script

ऋश्यशृङ्गं पुरस्कृत्य कर्म चक्रुर्द्विजर्षभा:।अश्वमेधे महायज्ञे राज्ञोऽस्य सुमहात्मन:।।।।

Transliteration

ṛśyaśṛṅgaṁ puraskṛtya karma cakrur dvijarṣabhāḥ |

aśvamedhe mahāyajñe rājño ’sya sumahātmanaḥ ||

Translation

Led by Ṛśyaśṛṅga, the foremost Brahmins carried out the rites of the great Aśvamedha sacrifice of this exceedingly magnanimous king.

Word by Word

• ऋश्यशृङ्गम्: Ṛśyaśṛṅga
• ऋश्यशृङ्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋश्यशृङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पुरस्कृत्य: having placed in front; led by
• पुरस्कृत्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुरस्-कृ (धातु) + ल्यप् (प्रत्यय)
• Form: ल्यबन्त अव्यय (gerund) ‘पुरतः कृत्वा’

• कर्म: ritual action
• कर्म: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• चक्रुः: performed
• चक्रुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• द्विजर्षभाः: bulls among the twice-born (excellent brahmins)
• द्विजर्षभाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज-ऋषभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष/कर्मधारयसमासः ‘द्विजानां ऋषभाः/द्विजेषु ऋषभाः’; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• अश्वमेधे: in the Aśvamedha
• अश्वमेधे: Adhikarana (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aśvamedha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमासः ‘अश्वस्य मेधः’; पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति (locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• महायज्ञे: in the great sacrifice
• महायज्ञे: Adhikarana (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā-yajña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारयसमासः ‘महान् यज्ञः’; पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचन; (अश्वमेधे इत्यस्य विशेषण-भावेन)

• राज्ञः: of the king
• राज्ञः: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अस्य: of this
• अस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सुमहात्मनः: of the very great-souled
• सुमहात्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु-महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारयसमासः ‘सु + महात्मा’; पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन; (राज्ञः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)

Context

Men and women who had come from various countries to that sacrifice were entertained with food and drink by the magnanimous (king).

Characters & Entities

• Ṛśyaśṛṅga
• Aśvamedha
• Daśaratha (implied by 'rājā' in context)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma here is expressed as disciplined performance of sacred duty (yajña-karma) under qualified leadership—public righteousness supported by correct ritual order and learned conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha is underway; eminent Brahmins, led by Ṛśyaśṛṅga, are conducting the prescribed rites.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The king’s magnanimity and commitment to dharmic kingship (supporting and commissioning righteous, properly guided rites).