Shloka 1.8.22
अष्टमः सर्गः — Daśaratha Resolves on the Aśvamedha (Horse-Sacrifice) for Progeny
इत्युक्त्वा नृपशार्दूलस्सचिवान्समुपस्थितान्।विसर्जयित्वा स्वं वेश्म प्रविवेश महाद्युति:।।।।
sa niścitāṃ matiṃ kṛtvā yaṣṭavyam iti buddhimān |
mantribhiḥ saha dharmātmā sarvair eva kṛtātmabhiḥ ||
tato ’bravīd idaṃ rājā sumantraṃ mantrisattamam |
śīghram ānaya me sarvān gurūṃs tān sa-purohitān ||
Having firmly resolved—together with all his self-controlled ministers—that a sacrifice should be performed, the wise and righteous King Daśaratha addressed Sumantra, foremost of ministers: “Quickly bring to me all those revered teachers, together with the royal priests (purohita).”
Having thus ordered his ministers sitting nearby, sent this highly brilliant, thispre-eminent among kings them away and entered the inner apartment.
Rajadharma: a king should act through deliberation with disciplined counselors and proceed in righteous, socially sanctioned ways (here, a Vedic sacrifice) rather than impulsively.
Daśaratha, desiring to undertake a major sacrifice, formalizes his decision and instructs Sumantra to summon spiritual authorities and priests.
Daśaratha’s prudence and dharmic governance—he consults ministers and seeks guidance from qualified religious authorities.