Shloka 1.18.38

पुत्रजन्मोत्सवः — Birth of the Princes and Viśvāmitra’s Arrival (Bālakāṇḍa 18)

Devanagari script

स राज्ञो दर्शनाकाङ्क्षी द्वाराध्यक्षानुवाच ह।।।।शीघ्रमाख्यात मां प्राप्तं कौशिकं गाधिनस्सुतम्।

Transliteration

tac chrutvā vacanaṃ trāsād rājño veśma pradudruvuḥ | sambhrāntamanasaḥ sarve tena vākyena coditāḥ ||

Translation

Hearing those words, all of them—alarmed—rushed to the king’s residence, their minds agitated and driven by that message.

Context

Desirous of seeing the king (Dasaratha) he accosted the door-keepers, saying "Inform the king quickly about the arrival of Viswamitra, the son of Gadhi born in the line ofKusika".

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra (implied as source of message)
• Daśaratha
• Palace residence (rājño veśma)
• Gatekeepers/attendants (implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma in courtly life includes reverence toward spiritual power; the attendants’ urgency reflects the cultural duty to promptly honor a sage’s arrival.

What is the narrative situation?

The gatekeepers/attendants, hearing Viśvāmitra’s identity and request, hurry to inform the king immediately.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Alertness and responsiveness—swift execution of duty within palace protocol.