Shloka 1.20.9
राज्ञः शङ्का–प्रत्याख्यानम् (Daśaratha’s Objections to Sending Rāma) — Bala Kanda, Sarga 20
यदि वा राघवं ब्रह्मन्नेतुमिच्छसि सुव्रत।।।।चतुरङ्गसमायुक्तं मया च सहितं नय।
yadi vā rāghavaṃ brahmann etum icchasi suvrata | caturaṅga-samāyuktaṃ mayā ca sahitaṃ naya ||
O brahman-sage of excellent vows—if you truly intend to take Rāghava with you, then take me as well, together with my fourfold army.
O sage of great vows, O brahman! if at all you intend to take Rama with you, take me also along with my army.
The verse highlights royal responsibility and protective duty: a father-king seeks to safeguard his son by offering to accompany him with full military support, balancing affection with the obligations of kingship (rājadharma).
Viśvāmitra has asked to take young Rāma for a mission. Daśaratha, anxious and reluctant, proposes that if Rāma must go, the king himself should go too with the fourfold army.
Daśaratha’s protective concern and sense of duty as a ruler—readiness to personally share risk and provide security.