Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 57, Shloka 21
विश्वामित्रस्य दक्षिणतपः तथा त्रिशङ्कोः स्वशरीरेण स्वर्गगमनाभिलाषः
Visvamitra’s Southern Austerity and Trisanku’s Bodily Ascent Aspiration
इक्ष्वाकूणां हि सर्वेषां पुरोधा: परमा गति:।।1.57.21।।पुरोधसस्तु विद्वांसस्तारयन्ति सदा नृपान्।तस्मादनन्तरं सर्वे भवन्तो दैवतं मम।।1.57.22।।
ikṣvākūṇāṃ hi sarveṣāṃ purodhāḥ paramā gatiḥ || 1.57.21 ||
purodhasas tu vidvāṃsas tārayanti sadā nṛpān |
tasmād anantaraṃ sarve bhavanto daivataṃ mama || 1.57.22 ||
イクシュヴァークのすべての王にとって、王家の祭司（プurohita）は最高の帰依処である。博識の師は常に王たちを（福徳と正道へ）渡らせ導く。ゆえに、彼ののちには、汝らすべてが我にとってまさに神々である。
For all the descendants of Ikshvakus the spiritual preceptor is the supreme resort for salvation. Learned spiritual preceptors have always liberated kings. Hence you are all gods to me only next to Vasishta".ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē bālakāṇḍē saptapañcāśassarga:৷৷Thus ends the fiftyseventh sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epiccomposed by sage Valmiki.
FAQs
Political power must be anchored in spiritual counsel: dharma for kings is safeguarded by learned purohitas who guide rulers toward righteous conduct and welfare.
Viśvāmitra underscores the indispensable role of the preceptor for royal lineages and elevates Vasiṣṭha’s sons as his next refuge after Vasiṣṭha.
Reverence for learning and lineage: he acknowledges that wisdom, not status, is what ‘delivers’ rulers.