Valmiki Ramayana 1.14.45: Bala Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 45
अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः · Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha
न भूम्या कार्यमस्माकं न हि शक्तास्स्म पालने ।
रतास्स्वाध्यायकरणे वयं नित्यं हि भूमिप ॥४५॥
निष्क्रयं किञ्चिदेवेह प्रयच्छतु भवानिति ।
4
na bhūmyā kāryamasmākaṃ na hi śaktāssma pālane |
ratāssvādhyāyakaraṇe vayaṃ nityaṃ hi bhūmipa ||45||
niṣkrayaṃ kiñcideveha prayacchatu bhavāniti |
4
पंडितों ने कहा, राजा साहब, हमें ज़मीन की ज़रूरत नहीं। हम तो हमेशा वेद पढ़ते रहते हैं, राज काम समझ नहीं आता। आप कुछ और दे दो, जो आपके पास हो।
"O ruler of the earth! We are constantly engaged in the study of the Vedas. We are not capable of ruling the earth and we cannot do anything with its possession. Give some other charity in lieu of that.
FAQs
Dharma as proper role-alignment: priests uphold learning and ritual, while kings uphold protection and rule; each should not abandon their svadharma.
The priests explain why they cannot accept sovereignty/land and ask Daśaratha to substitute an appropriate material gift.
The priests’ integrity and clarity about duty, and Daśaratha’s readiness to honor their rightful request.
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