Shloka 4
राज्ञः शङ्का
प्रत्याख्यानम् (Daśaratha’s Objections to Sending Rāma) — Bala Kanda, Sarga 20
इमे शूराश्च विक्रान्ता भृत्या मेऽस्त्रविशारदा:।योग्या रक्षोगणैर्योद्धुं न रामं नेतुमर्हसि।।।।
ime śūrāś ca vikrāntā bhṛtyā me 'straviśāradāḥ | yogyā rakṣogaṇair yoddhuṁ na rāmaṁ netum arhasi ||
ये मेरे सेवक शूरवीर और पराक्रमी हैं, अस्त्र-विद्या में निपुण हैं, राक्षस-गणों से युद्ध करने योग्य हैं; इसलिए तुम्हें राम को ले जाना उचित नहीं।
Here is the whole akshauhini (army) of which I am the lord and sustainer.Accompanied by the akshauhini I shall engage those rakshsasas in the battle.
FAQs
Guardianship as dharma: Daśaratha argues that trained protectors should bear the burden of violence, not a young prince—reflecting a duty to shield the vulnerable.
Daśaratha offers his elite warriors as an alternative to taking Rāma to the forest-sacrifice.
Prudence and protective care—he seeks a solution that preserves dharma without risking his son.