Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 19, Shloka 15
विश्वामित्रस्य यज्ञरक्षा-याचना
Visvamitra Requests Rama for Yajna-Protection
यदि ते धर्मलाभं च यशश्च परमं भुवि।।।।स्थितमिच्छसि राजेन्द्र रामं मे दातुमर्हसि।
yadi te dharma-lābhaṃ ca yaśaś ca paramaṃ bhuvi |
sthitam icchasi rājendra rāmaṃ me dātum arhasi ||
Ó rei dos reis, se desejas o mérito do dharma e a fama suprema e duradoura neste mundo, é justo que me confies Rāma.
O Kakustha! if your counsellors and all other sages headed by Vasishta give their consent, then only you may relieve Rama.
FAQs
Choosing dharma yields lasting honor: a ruler’s reputation is ethically meaningful when it arises from supporting righteous causes (protecting yajña and sages).
Viśvāmitra frames the king’s decision as a dharmic opportunity—sending Rāma will secure both righteousness and enduring renown.
Daśaratha’s kingly duty (rāja-dharma): prioritizing protection of sacred order over private reluctance.