Shloka 1.14.43

अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः — Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha

Devanagari script

क्रतुं समाप्य तु तदा न्यायत: पुरुषर्षभ: ।ऋत्विग्भ्यो हि ददौ राजा तां धरां कुलवर्धन:।।।।

Transliteration

kratuṃ samāpya tu tadā nyāyataḥ puruṣarṣabhaḥ |

ṛtvigbhyo hi dadau rājā tāṃ dharāṃ kulavardhanaḥ ||

Translation

Then, having duly completed the sacrifice in accordance with dharma, the king—best of men and upholder of his line—gave that very earth as a sacred gift to the officiating priests.

Context

The king best among men and upholder of his dynasty, having concluded the sacrifice according to law, offered this entire earth as gift to priests.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Ṛtvij (priests)
• Kratu/Yajña

FAQs

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

The verse models the dharma of completion (samāpti) and rightful giving: once a vow-bound rite is finished, the promised dakṣiṇā is delivered without hesitation.

What is the narrative situation?

After the Aśvamedha is completed, Daśaratha formally offers an extraordinary gift—symbolically, the earth itself—to the priests.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s truthfulness in obligation and magnanimity in giving.