Shloka 1.70.3

वंशवर्णनम् तथा विवाहप्रार्थना — Genealogy of the Ikshvaku Line and the Proposal for Marriage

Devanagari script

भ्राता मम महातेजा यवीयानतिधार्मिक:।कुशध्वज इति ख्यात: पुरीमध्यवसच्छुभाम्।।1.70.2।।वार्याफलकपर्यन्तां पिबन्निक्षुमतीं नदीम्।साङ्काश्यां पुण्यसङ्काशां विमानमिव पुष्पकम्।।1.70.3।।

Transliteration

bhrātā mama mahātejā yavīyān atidhārmikaḥ | kuśadhvaja iti khyātaḥ purīm adhyavasac chubhām || 1.70.2 || vāryāphalaka-paryantāṁ pibann ikṣumatīṁ nadīm | sāṅkāśyāṁ puṇyasaṅkāśāṁ vimānam iva puṣpakam || 1.70.3 ||

Translation

My younger brother, mighty in splendor and exceedingly righteous in dharma, renowned as Kuśadhvaja, dwells in an auspicious city. He rules Sāṅkāśyā—holy in appearance, like the aerial car Puṣpaka—by the Ikṣumatī river, whose waters seem bordered as though by planted stakes.

Context

"The extremely righteous, renowned and most brilliant Kusadhwaja, my younger brother is (at present) ruling the sacred kingdom of Sankasya, which is like the aerial chariot Pushpaka, with darts planted in water as boundary on the bank of the auspicious, sacred river Ikshumati.

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Kuśadhvaja
• Sāṅkāśyā
• Ikṣumatī River
• Puṣpaka Vimāna

FAQs

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

Rājadharma is presented as protective, orderly rule: a righteous king safeguards boundaries, prosperity, and sanctity, making the city itself reflect dharmic stability.

What is the narrative situation?

Janaka identifies his younger brother Kuśadhvaja and describes his capital, establishing family and political context for forthcoming marriage arrangements.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Atidhārmikatā (extraordinary righteousness) as a defining royal quality, paired with tejas (competent power).