Valmiki Ramayana 1.14.56: Bala Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 56

अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः · Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha

Spoken by King Daśaratha to ṚśyaśṛṅgaSetting: Ayodhyā (sacrificial pavilion)

Devanagari script

ततोऽब्रवीदृश्यशृङ्गं राजा दशरथस्तदा ।

कुलस्य वर्धनं त्वं तु कर्तुमर्हसि सुव्रत ॥५६॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 1.14.56

Transliteration

tato ’bravīd ṛśyaśṛṅgaṃ rājā daśarathas tadā |

kulasya vardhanaṃ tvaṃ tu kartum arhasi suvrata ||56||

Translation

फिर राजा दशरथ ने ऋश्यशृंग से कहा। तुम अपना व्रत अच्छे से निभा रहे हो। तुम मेरे वंश को आगे बढ़ा सकते हो।

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Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverb ‘then’
• Role: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण) (temporal)

• abravīt: said
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (ब्रू धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); parasmaipada — ‘said’
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

• ṛśyaśṛṅgam: to Ṛśyaśṛṅga
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛśyaśṛṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); direct object of address (spoken to)
• Role: Karma (कर्म) (addressee as object of speech)

• rājā: the king
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• daśarathaḥ: Daśaratha
• Type: Noun
• Root: daśaratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); apposition to rājā
• Role: Karta (कर्ता) (apposition)

• tadā: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb ‘at that time’
• Role: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण) (temporal)

• kulasya: of the lineage
• Type: Noun
• Root: kula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)

• vardhanam: increase/continuation
• Type: Noun
• Root: vardhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• tvam: you
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (युष्मद्-सर्वनाम)
• Form: Second-person pronoun, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता) (of arhasi)

• tu: indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात) emphasis
• Role: None (अकारक)

• kartum: to do
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (कृ धातु)
• Form: Infinitive (तुमुन्) ‘to do’
• Role: Karma (कर्म) (complement of arhasi)

• arhasi: are fit/should
• Type: Verb
• Root: arh (अर्ह् धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); parasmaipada — ‘you are fit/ought’
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

• suvrata: O man of good vows
• Type: Noun
• Root: su + vrata (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन); address ‘O one of good vows’
• Role: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

Sandhi Notes

• tato’bravīt = tataḥ + abravīt
• kartumarhasi = kartum + arhasi

Context

King Dasaratha then addressing Rsyasringa said "O Adherent of vows! you can help the continuity of my race".

The teaching

Dynastic duty (praja/uttarādhikāra) is pursued through dharmic means: seeking the aid of a suvrata sage and the power of rite, not coercion.

Ethical theme

Rājadharma / gṛhastha-dharma

For your practice

Highlights faith in vrata and tapas as spiritually potent; encourages seeking blessings through humility and right conduct.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Adbhuta (wonder), with Vira (heroism)

Mood

Expectant, solemn, auspicious

Themes

• Dharma
• Rājadharma
• Lineage (kula-dharma)
• Satya (solemn intent)
• Itihasa

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Ṛṣyaśṛṅga
• Kula (dynasty/lineage)

FAQs

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

Kula-dharma and responsibility: continuity of a righteous lineage is treated as a legitimate royal concern, to be pursued through lawful, vow-guided means.

What is the narrative situation?

After the sacrifice, Daśaratha directly addresses Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, seeking his aid/blessing for the continuation of the royal line.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence for ascetic authority—Daśaratha acknowledges Ṛṣyaśṛṅga’s vow-power and ritual competence.