Shloka 1.39.12

सगरयज्ञाश्वहरणम् — The Stolen Sacrificial Horse of Sagara

Devanagari script

गतिं पुत्रा: न पश्यामि रक्षसां परुषर्षभा:।मन्त्रपूतैर्महाभागैरास्थितो हि महाक्रतु:।।1.39.12।।

Transliteration

upādhyāyavacaḥ śrutvā tasmin sadasi pārthivaḥ |

ṣaṣṭiṁ putrasahasrāṇi vākyam etad uvāca ha ||1.39.11||

Translation

Having heard the words of the officiating priests (upādhyāyas) in that sacrificial assembly, the king addressed his sixty thousand sons and spoke as follows.

Context

'O Best among men, O sons! I do not the hand of rakshasas in this as this great sacrifice is consecrated by mantras (to prevent any interruption) and is presided over by eminent priests.

Characters & Entities

• Sagara
• upādhyāyas (officiating priests)
• sadas (sacrificial assembly)
• Sagara’s sons (60,000)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as orderly governance aligned with sacred counsel: the king listens to ritual authorities and then gives clear direction to uphold the integrity of the sacrifice.

What is the narrative situation?

During Sagara’s sacrifice, after hearing the priests, Sagara turns to his sons to issue instructions related to the disruption (the missing sacrificial horse).

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sagara’s decisiveness and responsibility—he responds promptly within the ritual setting after consulting the officiants.