Shloka 1.8.11

अष्टमः सर्गः — Daśaratha Resolves on the Aśvamedha (Horse-Sacrifice) for Progeny

Devanagari script

ऊचुश्च परमप्रीतास्सर्वे दशरथं वच:।सम्भारास्सम्भ्रियन्तां ते तुरगश्च विमुच्यताम्।।।।

Transliteration

ūcuś ca paramaprītāḥ sarve daśarathaṃ vacaḥ | sambhārāḥ sambhriyantāṃ te turagaś ca vimucyatām || 1.8.11 ||

Translation

All of them, greatly delighted, spoke to Daśaratha: “Let the needed preparations be gathered, and let the sacrificial horse be released.”

Context

Highly pleased, they all said to king Dasaratha, "Requisite articles be collected for the sacrifice and the horse be released."

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• brahmins
• sacrificial horse (turaga)
• Aśvamedha (implied by horse-release)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires right means (nyāya): even a personal longing (for heirs) is pursued through sanctioned, orderly, and community-validated ritual procedure.

What is the narrative situation?

The priests instruct Daśaratha to begin formal arrangements for the Aśvamedha by collecting materials and releasing the horse.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Collective responsibility and procedural integrity—religious specialists guide the king to act correctly and methodically.