Valmiki Ramayana 1.61.8: Bala Kanda, Sarga 61, Shloka 8
शुनःशेफविक्रयः · The Sale of Śunaḥśepa for the Sacrifice
प्रायश्चित्तं महद्ध्येतन्नरं वा पुरुषर्षभ ।आनयस्व पशुं शीघ्रं यावत्कर्म प्रवर्तते।।।।
prāyaścittaṃ mahad hy etan naraṃ vā puruṣarṣabha | ānayasva paśuṃ śīghraṃ yāvat karma pravartate ||
देखो, यह बड़ा पाप हो गया है। जल्दी से कोई जानवर ले आओ, या फिर कोई आदमी भी चलेगा। यज्ञ का काम शुरू होना चाहिए।
"O Best of men! you must pay a big price for this. Bring either the beast or a man immediately so that the sacrifice can be completed".
FAQs
Dharma here is framed as fidelity to vowed action (satya to one’s undertaking) and the idea that disruptions require corrective measures (prāyaścitta) to restore order.
The priest instructs the king to quickly procure a replacement victim so the sacrifice does not stall.
Resolve to complete an obligation (dṛḍha-niścaya) under pressure—continuing the rite by sanctioned remedies.
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