Shloka 45
अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः
Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha
न भूम्या कार्यमस्माकं न हि शक्तास्स्म पालने।रतास्स्वाध्यायकरणे वयं नित्यं हि भूमिप।।।।निष्क्रयं किञ्चिदेवेह प्रयच्छतु भवानिति। 4
na bhūmyā kāryam asmākaṃ na hi śaktā sma pālane |
ratāḥ svādhyāyakaraṇe vayaṃ nityaṃ hi bhūmipa ||
niṣkrayaṃ kiñcid eveha prayacchatu bhavān iti |
“হে ভূমিপতি! আমাদের ভূমির কোনো প্রয়োজন নেই; শাসন-রক্ষণে আমরা সক্ষম নই। আমরা নিত্য স্বাধ্যায় ও বৈদিক আচরণে রত। অতএব এর পরিবর্তে এখানে অন্য কোনো প্রতিদান দান করুন।”
"O ruler of the earth! We are constantly engaged in the study of the Vedas. We are not capable of ruling the earth and we cannot do anything with its possession. Give some other charity in lieu of that.
FAQs
Dharma as proper role-alignment: priests uphold learning and ritual, while kings uphold protection and rule; each should not abandon their svadharma.
The priests explain why they cannot accept sovereignty/land and ask Daśaratha to substitute an appropriate material gift.
The priests’ integrity and clarity about duty, and Daśaratha’s readiness to honor their rightful request.