Shloka 2.110.24
लोकसमुत्पत्ति-वर्णनम् तथा इक्ष्वाकुवंश-प्रशंसा (Cosmogony and Ikshvaku Genealogy as Counsel to Rama)
स राजा सगरो नाम य: समुद्रमखानयत्।इष्ट्वा पर्वणि वेगेन त्रासयन इमाः प्रजाः।।।
sa rājā sagaro nāma yaḥ samudram akhānayat |
iṣṭvā parvaṇi vegena trāsayan imāḥ prajāḥ |||
That king, named Sagara, was the one who had the ocean dug out. Having performed a sacrifice on a festival full-moon day, he swiftly struck the people with awe and fear by that mighty undertaking.
The king Sagara performed a sacrifice on the full-moon day. And swiftly dug the ocean that frightened the people.
Royal power must be tempered by concern for subjects: even great enterprises, if they terrify the people, raise questions about the dharmic measure (maryādā) of force.
The narration briefly characterizes King Sagara through a famed feat—excavating the ocean—linking it to ritual context and its societal impact.
Energy and capability (vīrya/vega) are highlighted, while also implying the need for restraint and welfare-oriented rule.