Shloka 1.57.21
विश्वामित्रस्य दक्षिणतपः तथा त्रिशङ्कोः स्वशरीरेण स्वर्गगमनाभिलाषः (Visvamitra’s Southern Austerity and Trisanku’s Bodily Ascent Aspiration)
इक्ष्वाकूणां हि सर्वेषां पुरोधा: परमा गति:।।1.57.21।।पुरोधसस्तु विद्वांसस्तारयन्ति सदा नृपान्।तस्मादनन्तरं सर्वे भवन्तो दैवतं मम।।1.57.22।।
ikṣvākūṇāṃ hi sarveṣāṃ purodhāḥ paramā gatiḥ || 1.57.21 ||
purodhasas tu vidvāṃsas tārayanti sadā nṛpān |
tasmād anantaraṃ sarve bhavanto daivataṃ mama || 1.57.22 ||
For all the Ikṣvāku kings, indeed, the royal priest (purohita) is the highest refuge. Learned preceptors ever guide kings across—to welfare and right conduct. Therefore, after him, all of you are my very deities.
For all the descendants of Ikshvakus the spiritual preceptor is the supreme resort for salvation. Learned spiritual preceptors have always liberated kings. Hence you are all gods to me only next to Vasishta".ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē bālakāṇḍē saptapañcāśassarga:৷৷Thus ends the fiftyseventh sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epiccomposed by sage Valmiki.
Political power must be anchored in spiritual counsel: dharma for kings is safeguarded by learned purohitas who guide rulers toward righteous conduct and welfare.
Viśvāmitra underscores the indispensable role of the preceptor for royal lineages and elevates Vasiṣṭha’s sons as his next refuge after Vasiṣṭha.
Reverence for learning and lineage: he acknowledges that wisdom, not status, is what ‘delivers’ rulers.