Shloka 1.18.16
पुत्रजन्मोत्सवः — Birth of the Princes and Viśvāmitra’s Arrival (Bālakāṇḍa 18)
जगु: कलं च गन्धर्वा ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणा:।।।।देवदुन्दुभयो नेदु: पुष्पवृष्टिश्च खाच्च्युता।उत्सवश्च महानासीदयोध्यायां जनाकुल:।।।।
rājñaḥ putrā mahātmānaś catvāro jajñire pṛthak |
guṇavanto ’nurūpāś ca rucyā proṣṭhapadopamāḥ ||
Thus, in due sequence, four high-souled sons were born to the king—virtuous, fitting in every respect, and radiant like the Proṣṭhapadā stars.
The gandharvas sang melodiously. Groups of apsaras danced. Celestial kettledrums were sounded. Flowers were showered from the sky. Men througed to Ayodhya to witness the festivities.
The verse frames virtue as the true measure of royalty: noble birth is meaningful when paired with guṇa (character), supporting the ideal of dharmic kingship.
A summary statement concludes the birth-account: Daśaratha has four sons, each notable for excellence and auspicious brilliance.
Guṇavattā—possession of virtues—suggesting moral fitness to uphold family and royal responsibilities.