Shloka 1.16.29
पायसप्रादुर्भावः — The Manifestation of the Divine Payasa and the Avatara Resolution
कौसल्यायै नरपति: पायसार्धं ददौ तदा।अर्धादर्धं ददौ चापि सुमित्रायै नराधिप:।।1.16.27।।कैकेय्यै चावशिष्टार्धं ददौ पुत्रार्थकारणात्। प्रददौ चावशिष्टार्धं पायसस्यामृतोपमम्।।1.16.28।। अनुचिन्त्य सुमित्रायै पुनरेव महीपति:।एवं तासां ददौ राजा भार्याणां पायसं पृथक् ।।1.16.29।।
kausalyāyai narapatiḥ pāyasārdhaṃ dadau tadā | ardhād ardhaṃ dadau cāpi sumitrāyai narādhipaḥ || 1.16.27 ||
kaikeyyai cāvaśiṣṭārdhaṃ dadau putrārthakāraṇāt | pradadau cāvaśiṣṭārdhaṃ pāyasasyāmṛtopamam || 1.16.28 ||
anucintya sumitrāyai punar eva mahīpatiḥ | evaṃ tāsāṃ dadau rājā bhāryāṇāṃ pāyasaṃ pṛthak || 1.16.29 ||
Then the king gave half of the payasa to Kausalyā; from the remaining half, he gave a quarter to Sumitrā. For the sake of obtaining sons, he gave the remaining quarter to Kaikeyī; and, after reflection, the lord of the earth again gave the last remaining portion—ambrosia-like payasa—to Sumitrā. Thus the king distributed the payasa separately among his queens.
Then Dasaratha gave half the portion of payasam to Kausalya, half of the remaining half to Sumitra, half of the remaining portion (oneeighth of original) to Kaikeyi for the sake of a son. On further thinking, he gave the remaining oneeighth portion to Sumitra. In this manner the king divided and distributed the payasam among his wives separately.
Dharma here includes responsible household governance: Daśaratha distributes a sacred gift thoughtfully among his queens, aiming at a righteous end (progeny) while maintaining balance and consideration.
After receiving the consecrated payasa, Daśaratha apportions it among Kausalyā, Sumitrā, and Kaikeyī, then adjusts the distribution after reflection.
Prudence and care in family duty—Daśaratha’s reflective decision-making in matters affecting the royal household and lineage.