Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 13, Shloka 21
हयमेध
यज्ञोपक्रमः — Commencement of the Aśvamedha Preparations
मिथिलाधिपतिं शूरं जनकं सत्यविक्रमम्।निष्ठितं सर्वशास्त्रेषु तथा वेदेषु निष्ठितम्।।1.13.20।।तमानय महाभागं स्वयमेव सुसत्कृतम्।पूर्वसम्बन्धिनं ज्ञात्वा तत: पूर्वं ब्रवीमि ते।।1.13.21।।
mithilādhipatiṃ śūraṃ janakaṃ satyavikramam | niṣṭhitaṃ sarvaśāstreṣu tathā vedeṣu niṣṭhitam || 1.13.20 || tam ānaya mahābhāgaṃ svayam eva susatkṛtam | pūrvasambandhinaṃ jñātvā tataḥ pūrvaṃ bravīmi te || 1.13.21 ||
Bring Janaka, the heroic lord of Mithilā, whose valor is grounded in truth—firmly established in all śāstras and likewise well versed in the Vedas. Bring that distinguished man yourself, honoring him with due reverence; knowing him to be an ally through former ties, I tell you this beforehand.
After offering humble salutations and worshipping sage Vasishta in accordance with prescribed ordinance for begetting children, he obediently said:
FAQs
Dharma honors satya-based leadership: a righteous rite calls for the presence of rulers renowned for truth, learning, and integrity.
Vasiṣṭha instructs Sumantra to give special, personal invitation to King Janaka of Mithilā due to prior alliance and his distinguished virtues.
Satya (truth) as the basis of vikrama (valor), coupled with śāstra- and veda-niṣṭhā (steadfast learning and discipline).