Shloka 1.14.32

अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः — Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha

Devanagari script

पतत्रिणा तदा सार्धं सुस्थितेन च चेतसा।अवसद्रजनीमेकां कौशल्या धर्मकाम्यया।।।।

Transliteration

patatriṇā tadā sārdhaṃ susthitena ca cetasā |

avasad rajanīm ekāṃ kauśalyā dharmakāmyayā ||

Translation

Then Kauśalyā, steadfast in mind and intent on fulfilling dharma, spent a single night in attendance beside the sacrificial horse.

Context

Kausalya, in her devotion to duty and with a happy state of mind, passed one night near that horse.

Characters & Entities

• Kauśalyā
• Aśvamedha horse (patatri)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as disciplined adherence to a vowed religious duty: Kauśalyā performs the prescribed observance with steadiness of mind, treating ritual responsibility as a moral commitment.

What is the narrative situation?

During Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha, Kauśalyā keeps the prescribed night-long attendance near the sacrificial horse as part of the rite.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kauśalyā’s dharma-niṣṭhā (faithful devotion to duty) and mental steadiness (sthira-citta).