Shloka 1.71.6

जनककुलवर्णनम् तथा सीतोर्मिलादानम् (Janaka’s Genealogy and the Bestowal of Sita and Urmila)

Devanagari script

सुकेतोरपि धर्मात्मा देवरातो महाबल:।देवरातस्य राजर्षेर्बृहद्रथ इति स्मृत:।।।।

Transliteration

dadāmi paramaprīto vadhvau te raghunandana |

rāmalakṣmaṇayo rājan godānaṁ kārayasva ha |

pitṛkāryaṁ ca bhadraṁ te tato vaivāhikaṁ kuru ||

Translation

With great joy, O delight of the Raghu line, I give these two brides to you for Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. O King, have the gift of cows performed, and the rites owed to the ancestors as well—may auspiciousness attend you. Thereafter, conduct the wedding ceremonies.

Context

Suketu's son was the righteous and powerful Devarata, father of Brihadradha.

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Daśaratha
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• pitṛs (ancestors)
• go-dāna (gift of cows)

FAQs

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

Dharma as social-ritual responsibility: marriage is not merely personal but a sanctified duty, preceded by generosity (go-dāna) and honoring ancestors (pitṛ-kārya).

What is the narrative situation?

Janaka, pleased with the alliance, instructs Daśaratha to complete the customary rites—charitable gifts and ancestral obligations—before the formal wedding.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Janaka’s adherence to tradition and satya in alliances—he ensures the union is performed in a fully dharmic, socially recognized manner.