HomeRamayanaBala KandaSarga 34Shloka 1.34.1
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Shloka 1.34.1

कुशिकवंश-प्रसङ्गः / Genealogy of the Kuśika Line and the Kausikī River

कृतोद्वाहे गते तस्मिन् ब्रह्मदत्ते च राघव।अपुत्र: पुत्रलाभाय पौत्रीमिष्टिमकल्पयत्।।।।

kṛtodvāhe gate tasmin brahmadatte ca rāghava | aputraḥ putralābhāya pautrīm iṣṭim akalpayat || 1.34.1 ||

O Rāghava, when Brahmadatta’s marriage had been completed and he had departed, the king—being without a son—arranged the Putreṣṭi sacrifice in order to obtain a son.

"O son of Raghu's dynasty (Rama)! Brahmadatta got married and left for his kingdom. Now a putreshti was performed by king Kusanabha in order to beget a son.

R
Rāma (Rāghava)
B
Brahmadatta
K
King Kūśanābha (implied)
P
Putreṣṭi (pautrī iṣṭi)

It reflects the dharmic priority of lineage continuity and responsible kingship: the king seeks a son through sanctioned Vedic means (yajña), aligning desire with ritual and social order.

With Brahmadatta’s marriage concluded, the story transitions to the king’s effort to beget an heir via the Putreṣṭi rite.

Faith in lawful means (vaidika-vidhi) and commitment to dynastic responsibility.