यौवराज्याभिषेक-उपकल्पनम्
Preparations for Rama’s Installation as Yuvaraja
स तं सस्मितमाभाष्य पुत्रं पुत्रवतां वरः।।।।उवाचेदं वचो राजा देवेन्द्रमिव काश्यपः।
sa taṃ sasmitaṃ ābhāṣya putraṃ putravatāṃ varaḥ |
uvācedaṃ vaco rājā devendram iva kāśyapaḥ ||
पुत्रवतांमध्ये श्रेष्ठ असा राजा स्मितहास्याने पुत्रास संबोधून हे वचन बोलला—जसा कश्यप देवेंद्रास बोलतो।
The best among fathers, he (Dasaratha) said these words to his son with a smile, like Kasyapa addressing Devendra.
Dharma is transmitted through affectionate instruction: the father’s smile and direct address frame guidance as benevolent, not coercive.
Daśaratha transitions from welcoming gestures to formally speaking to Rāma.
Daśaratha’s dignified warmth and the auspicious authority of a father-king.