Shloka 1.19.14

विश्वामित्रस्य यज्ञरक्षा-याचना (Visvamitra Requests Rama for Yajna-Protection)

Devanagari script

अहं वेद्मि महात्मानं रामं सत्यपराक्रमम्।।।।वसिष्ठोऽपि महातेजा ये चेमे तपसि स्थिता:।

Transliteration

na ca putrakṛta-snehaṃ kartum arhasi pārthiva |

ahaṃ te pratijānāmi hatau tau viddhi rākṣasau ||

Translation

O king, you should not let paternal attachment stand in the way. I assure you—know for certain that those two rākṣasas will be slain.

Context

I know Rama who is a great soul, true to his prowess and also Vasishta of great lustre and these other sages who have been steadfast in asceticism also know.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Daśaratha
• Rāma (implied as the agent of protection)
• rākṣasa (the two demons)

FAQs

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

Dharma can require placing duty above attachment: the king must not allow personal affection to obstruct a righteous mission that protects sacred ritual and public order.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha hesitates to send Rāma; Viśvāmitra counters that hesitation and gives an assurance of the demons’ defeat.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Satya and resolve in a sage’s promise (pratijñā), and the king’s expected self-mastery over personal attachment.