Shloka 1.14.55

अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः — Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha

Devanagari script

तत: प्रीतमना राजा प्राप्य यज्ञमनुत्तमम्।पापापहं स्वर्नयनं दुष्करं पार्थिवर्षभै:।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ prītamanā rājā prāpya yajñam anuttamam | pāpāpahaṃ svarnayanaṃ duṣkaraṃ pārthivarṣabhaiḥ ||

Translation

Thereafter the king, glad at heart, having successfully completed that unsurpassed sacrifice—sin-dispelling and heaven-leading, difficult even for the best of monarchs—was filled with satisfaction.

Context

Sacrifice destroys sins. It leads to heaven. It is incapable of being done by other monarchs. King Dasaratha was very much pleased after performing this great sacrifice.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Yajña (Putreṣṭi context)
• Svarga (heaven, implied by svaḥ)

FAQs

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

Dharma as disciplined sacred action: properly performed yajña is portrayed as purifying (pāpāpaha) and spiritually elevating (svarnayana).

What is the narrative situation?

The narration summarizes the greatness of the completed sacrifice and Daśaratha’s inner joy after accomplishing it.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Perseverance in righteous duty—Daśaratha completes a rite described as difficult even for eminent kings.