Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 1
राज्ञः शङ्का
प्रत्याख्यानम् (Daśaratha’s Objections to Sending Rāma) — Bala Kanda, Sarga 20
तच्छ्रुत्वा राजशार्दूलो विश्वामित्रस्य भाषितम्।मुहूर्तमिव निस्संज्ञस्संज्ञावानिदमब्रवीत्।।।।
tac chrutvā rājaśārdūlo viśvāmitrasya bhāṣitam |
muhūrtam iva nissaṃjñaḥ saṃjñāvān idam abravīt ||1.20.1||
فلما سمع الملك—نمر الملوك—كلام فيشفاميترا، غشيه ذهول كأنه فقد الوعي لحظة؛ ثم لما عاد إلى رشده قال ما يلي.
On hearing Viswamitra, words the tiger among kings (Dasaratha) lost his senses for a moment and on regaining his consciousness spoke this way.
FAQs
Dharma can place a person between reverence for a sage’s demand and parental/royal responsibility; the verse shows the gravity of such moral tension before speech and decision.
Viśvāmitra has made a request (to take Rāma), and Daśaratha reacts with shock, briefly losing composure before responding.
Daśaratha’s eventual self-control—he regains awareness and speaks thoughtfully rather than remaining overwhelmed.