Valmiki Ramayana 1.8.8: Bala Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 8
अष्टमः सर्गः · Daśaratha Resolves on the Aśvamedha (Horse
Sacrifice) for Progeny
मम लालप्यमानस्य पुत्रार्थन्नास्ति वै सुखम् ।
तदर्थं हयमेधेन यक्ष्यामीति मतिर्मम ॥८॥
mama lālapyamānasya putrārthannāsti vai sukham |
tadarthaṃ hayamedhena yakṣyāmīti matirmama ||8||
राजा ने कहा कि बेटा बिना मैं बहुत दुखी हूँ। मेरे पास कोई खुशी नहीं है। इसलिए मैं फैसला कर चुका हूँ कि अश्वमेध यज्ञ करूँगा। बस बेटा चाहिए।
There is no happiness for one who has no son. This is the cause of my intense suffering. Therefore, I have made up my mind to perform a horse-sacrifice.
FAQs
The verse highlights the dharmic importance of progeny in ancient Indian society, where having a son was considered essential for continuing family lineage, performing ancestral rites (pitri-runa), and ensuring spiritual completeness. King Dasaratha's suffering stems from his inability to fulfill this fundamental dharmic obligation despite being a righteous king.
King Dasaratha, after consulting with his ministers, has summoned his spiritual preceptors and family priests. He is expressing his deep anguish at being childless and announcing his resolve to perform the Ashvamedha (horse-sacrifice) to obtain sons, seeking the guidance and approval of the assembled sages.
The verse demonstrates Dasaratha's commitment to dharma through proper channels - rather than acting impulsively, he consults spiritual authorities and follows Vedic prescriptions. It also shows his honesty in expressing his suffering and his determination to seek a legitimate solution through prescribed religious means.
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