Shloka 1.20.28

राज्ञः शङ्का–प्रत्याख्यानम् (Daśaratha’s Objections to Sending Rāma) — Bala Kanda, Sarga 20

Devanagari script

इयमक्षौहिणी पूर्णा यस्याहं पतिरीश्वरः।

अनया संवृतो गत्वा योद्धाऽहं तैर्निशाचरैः॥

Transliteration

iyam akṣauhiṇī pūrṇā yasyāhaṁ patir īśvaraḥ | anayā saṁvṛto gatvā yoddhā 'haṁ tair niśācaraiḥ ||

Translation

This complete army—an akṣauhiṇī—is mine to command as its lord; surrounded by it, I will go forth and myself fight those night-roamers.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Viśvāmitra
• akṣauhiṇī (army)
• niśācara (rākṣasas)

FAQs

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

Rajadharma: the king presents himself and his forces as instruments to defend righteousness and public sacred acts, offering state power in service of dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha tries to persuade Viśvāmitra that royal military support is sufficient and that Rāma need not be taken.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Protective leadership and readiness to act—Daśaratha asserts personal responsibility rather than delegating danger to his son.