Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 3, Shloka 38
यौवराज्याभिषेक-उपकल्पनम्
Preparations for Rama’s Installation as Yuvaraja
स तं सस्मितमाभाष्य पुत्रं पुत्रवतां वरः।।।।उवाचेदं वचो राजा देवेन्द्रमिव काश्यपः।
sa taṃ sasmitaṃ ābhāṣya putraṃ putravatāṃ varaḥ |
uvācedaṃ vaco rājā devendram iva kāśyapaḥ ||
पुत्रवतों में श्रेष्ठ राजा ने मुस्कराकर पुत्र से संबोधन किया और ये वचन कहे—जैसे कश्यप देवेंद्र से कहते हों।
The best among fathers, he (Dasaratha) said these words to his son with a smile, like Kasyapa addressing Devendra.
FAQs
Dharma is transmitted through affectionate instruction: the father’s smile and direct address frame guidance as benevolent, not coercive.
Daśaratha transitions from welcoming gestures to formally speaking to Rāma.
Daśaratha’s dignified warmth and the auspicious authority of a father-king.