Shloka 1.71.8

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

Devanagari script

सुधृतेरपि धर्मात्मा दृष्टकेतुस्सुधार्मिक:।दृष्टकेतोस्तु राजर्षेर्हर्यश्व इति विश्रुत:।।।।

Transliteration

sudhṛter api dharmātmā dṛṣṭaketuḥ sudhārmikaḥ | dṛṣṭaketos tu rājarṣer haryaśva iti viśrutaḥ ||

Translation

To Sudhṛti was born Dṛṣṭaketu, righteous and steadfast in dharma; and to that royal sage Dṛṣṭaketu was born the renowned Haryaśva.

Context

To Sudhruti was born the righteous Drishtaketu, committed to dharma. Rajarshi Drishtaketu was father to the well-known Haryasva.

Characters & Entities

• Sudhṛti
• Dṛṣṭaketu
• Haryaśva

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as a defining royal virtue: a ruler (rājarṣi) is praised not merely for power but for righteousness as an inner nature (dharmātmā).

What is the narrative situation?

Continuation of the dynasty record, highlighting dharmic kings in the line through brief characterizing epithets.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Dharmic steadfastness: Dṛṣṭaketu is explicitly marked as dharmātmā and sudhārmika.