Shloka 1.14.44
अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः — Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha
ऋत्विजस्त्वब्रुवन्सर्वे राजानं गतकल्मषम्।भवानेव महीं कृत्स्नामेको रक्षितुमर्हति।।।।
ṛtvijas tv abruvan sarve rājānaṃ gatakalmaṣam |
bhavān eva mahīṃ kṛtsnām eko rakṣitum arhati ||
But all the priests said to the king, now cleansed of sin: “You alone are worthy to protect this entire earth.”
But all the priests said to the king purged of his sins, "O Lord of men! you alone are capable of protecting this earth".
Rājadharma: governance and protection of the realm are the king’s unique duty; even sacred specialists acknowledge that political stewardship belongs to the ruler.
The priests decline the literal acceptance of “the earth” as a gift and affirm that Daśaratha must remain its protector.
Daśaratha’s fitness for kingship—moral purity after sacrifice and capacity for protection.