Shloka 1.12.15

द्वादशः सर्गः — Aśvamedha-saṅkalpa (Daśaratha resolves on the Horse Sacrifice)

Devanagari script

सरय्वाश्चोत्तरे तीरे यज्ञभूमिर्विधीयताम्।शान्तयश्चाभिवर्धन्तां यथाकल्पं यथाविधि।।।।

Transliteration

sarayvāś cottare tīre yajñabhūmir vidhīyatām | śāntayaś cābhivardhantāṃ yathākalpaṃ yathāvidhi ||

Translation

“Let the sacrificial ground be prepared on the northern bank of the Sarayū; and let the rites of pacification and safeguarding be duly increased—exactly as the ritual manuals and scriptural rules prescribe.”

Context

Let a sacrificial pavillion be constructed on the northern bank of Sarayu according to prescribed methods ordained in the 'kalpa' and other scriptures for the uninterrupted completion of the sacrifice.

Characters & Entities

• Sarayū (river)
• yajñabhūmi (sacrificial ground)
• śānti rites (pacification rites)
• Kalpa (ritual code)

FAQs

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

Dharma is meticulous adherence to prescribed duty: sacred actions must be performed in the right place and in the right way, without improvisation that risks harm.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha directs the location and correct ritual setup for the sacrifice, emphasizing proper construction and protective rites.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence for tradition and responsibility: the king insists on ‘yathākalpa, yathāvidhi’—doing things exactly as enjoined.