Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 44
अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः
Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha
ऋत्विजस्त्वब्रुवन्सर्वे राजानं गतकल्मषम्।भवानेव महीं कृत्स्नामेको रक्षितुमर्हति।।।।
ṛtvijas tv abruvan sarve rājānaṃ gatakalmaṣam |
bhavān eva mahīṃ kṛtsnām eko rakṣitum arhati ||
Namun semua pendeta berkata kepada raja yang kini telah bersih daripada dosa: “Hanya tuanku sahaja layak melindungi seluruh bumi ini.”
But all the priests said to the king purged of his sins, "O Lord of men! you alone are capable of protecting this earth".
FAQs
Rājadharma: governance and protection of the realm are the king’s unique duty; even sacred specialists acknowledge that political stewardship belongs to the ruler.
The priests decline the literal acceptance of “the earth” as a gift and affirm that Daśaratha must remain its protector.
Daśaratha’s fitness for kingship—moral purity after sacrifice and capacity for protection.