Shloka 1.72.22

वैवाहिकसंबन्ध-निश्चयः / Fixing the Mithila–Ayodhya Marital Alliance

Devanagari script

गवां शतसहस्राणि ब्राह्मणेभ्यो नराधिप:।एकैकशो ददौ राजा पुत्रानुद्दिश्य धर्मत:।।।।

Transliteration

sa gatvā nilayaṃ rājā śrāddhaṃ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ | prabhāte kālyam utthāya cakre godānam uttamam ||

Translation

Having returned to his residence, the king performed the śrāddha in accordance with the prescribed rite; and at dawn, rising at the proper hour, he carried out the most excellent gift of cows.

Context

For the welfare of each of his sons the king (Dasaratha) religiously gave away a hundred thousand cows to brahmins.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• śrāddha
• go-dāna (gift of cows)

FAQs

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

Dāna joined with ritual responsibility: charity (go-dāna) and ancestral duty (śrāddha) are shown as disciplined, rule-guided acts rather than displays.

What is the narrative situation?

After leaving the Mithilā proceedings temporarily, Daśaratha completes śrāddha and begins ceremonial gifting connected with auspicious family rites.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Orderliness and piety: Daśaratha follows timing and procedure, embodying the ideal of a king whose private rites align with public dharma.