Shloka 1.14.51

अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः — Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha

Devanagari script

तत: प्रसर्पकैभ्यस्तु हिरण्यं सुसमाहित:।जाम्बूनदं कोटिसंख्यं ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददौ तदा।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ prasarpakaibhyas tu hiraṇyaṃ susamāhitaḥ | jāmbūnadaṃ koṭisaṃkhyaṃ brāhmaṇebhyo dadau tadā ||

Translation

Thereafter, with focused earnestness, he then bestowed on the brāhmaṇas gathered there jāmbūnada gold amounting to a crore in count.

Context

Thereafter, with earnestness king Dasaratha bestowed a crore of gold coins to brahmins who had come to see the sacrifice.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Brāhmaṇas
• Jāmbūnada (gold)

FAQs

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

Dāna as rājadharma: a king supports the learned and the ritual order through generous, sincere giving, done with steadiness of mind (susamāhita).

What is the narrative situation?

Following the sacrifice proceedings, Daśaratha distributes substantial wealth—fine gold—to attending brāhmaṇas.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Generosity guided by discipline: Daśaratha’s giving is portrayed as deliberate and reverent, not impulsive.