Shloka 1.52.23

वसिष्ठ-आतिथ्यं (Vasiṣṭha’s Hospitality to Viśvāmitra and the Summoning of Śabalā/Kāmadhenu)

Devanagari script

रसेनान्नेन पानेन लेह्यचोष्येण संयुतम्।अन्नानां निचयं सर्वं सृजस्व शबले त्वर।।।।

Transliteration

kaccit te kuśalaṃ rājan kaccid dharmeṇa rañjayan |

prajāḥ pālayase vīra rājavṛttena dhārmika ||

Translation

O King, is all well with you? O righteous and valiant one—do you protect your subjects according to dharma, delighting them by the proper conduct of a king?

Context

O Sabala! create at once all food items consisting of liquids and solids for drinking, tasting and siping."ইত্যার্ষে শ্রীমদ্রামাযণে বাল্মীকীয আদিকাব্যে বালকাণ্ডে দ্বিপঞ্চাশস্সর্গ:৷Thus ends the fiftysecond sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Viśvāmitra
• prajāḥ (subjects)

FAQs

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

Rāja-dharma: the king’s legitimacy rests on protecting subjects in accordance with dharma and ensuring their welfare and contentment.

What is the narrative situation?

Vasiṣṭha formally enquires about Viśvāmitra’s well-being and whether his rule aligns with the duties of kingship.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The ideal of a dhārmika ruler—governance as protection and moral responsibility, not mere power.