Shloka 1.20.3

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

Devanagari script

इयमक्षौहिणी पूर्णा यस्याहं पतिरीश्वर:।अनया संवृतो गत्वा योद्धाऽहं तैर्निशाचरै:।।।।

Transliteration

ime śūrāś ca vikrāntā bhṛtyā me 'straviśāradāḥ | yogyā rakṣogaṇair yoddhuṁ na rāmaṁ netum arhasi ||

Translation

These attendants of mine are heroic and powerful, skilled in weapons and fit to fight hosts of rākṣasas; it is not proper for you to take Rāma.

Context

Here is the whole akshauhini (army) of which I am the lord and sustainer.Accompanied by the akshauhini I shall engage those rakshsasas in the battle.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Viśvāmitra
• Rāma
• rakṣogaṇa (rākṣasa hosts)

FAQs

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

Guardianship as dharma: Daśaratha argues that trained protectors should bear the burden of violence, not a young prince—reflecting a duty to shield the vulnerable.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha offers his elite warriors as an alternative to taking Rāma to the forest-sacrifice.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence and protective care—he seeks a solution that preserves dharma without risking his son.