Shloka 1.11.8

ऋष्यशृङ्गानयनम् — Bringing Ṛśyaśṛṅga to Ayodhyā (Bālakāṇḍa, Sarga 11)

Devanagari script

तं च राजा दशरथो यष्टुकाम: कृताञ्जलि:।ऋश्यशृङ्गं द्विजश्रेष्ठं वरयिष्यति धर्मवित्।। 1.11.8।। यज्ञार्थं प्रसवार्थं च स्वर्गार्थं च नरेश्वर:।लभते च स तं कामं द्विजमुख्याद्विशांपति:।।1.11.9।।

Transliteration

taṃ ca rājā daśaratho yaṣṭukāmaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ, ṛśyaśṛṅgaṃ dvijaśreṣṭhaṃ varayiṣyati dharmavit.

Translation

And King Daśaratha, longing to perform the sacrifice, with palms joined in reverence and well-versed in dharma, would formally entreat Ṛśyaśṛṅga, foremost among brāhmaṇas.

Context

King Dasaratha, lord of the people, and knower of dharma and truth, desirous of performing the sacrifice would ask Rsyasringa, with folded palms for granting a boon to perform a sacrifice in order to obtain children and to attain heaven. The king will get those desires fulfilled through that chief brahmin.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Ṛśyaśṛṅga
• dvija (brāhmaṇa)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as humility before spiritual merit: even a sovereign approaches a worthy sage-priest with respect and proper protocol.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha prepares to petition Ṛśyaśṛṅga to officiate the royal sacrifice.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence and self-discipline—Daśaratha’s respectful conduct (kṛtāñjali) despite royal power.