Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 4, Shloka 12
अयोध्याकाण्डे चतुर्थः सर्गः
Rāma Summoned; Pushya Coronation Decision
राम वृद्धोऽस्मि दीर्घायुर्भुक्ता भोगा मयेप्सिताः।अन्नवद्भिः क्रतुशतै स्तथेष्टं भूरिदक्षिणैः।।2.4.12।।
rāma vṛddho 'smi dīrghāyur bhuktā bhogā mayepsitāḥ | annavadbhiḥ kratuśataiḥ tathā iṣṭaṃ bhūridakṣiṇaiḥ || 2.4.12 ||
“Rāma, ako’y tumanda na at mahaba na ang aking buhay. Natamasa ko ang mga kaligayahang ninasa ko, at nagsagawa ako ng daan-daang yajña—sagana sa pagkain at masagana sa mga dakṣiṇā na handog.”
O Rama! after a long life I have grown old. I have enjoyed all the pleasures I desired. I have also performed hundreds of rituals which enjoined distribution of abundant food and gifts.
FAQs
It highlights life-stage dharma: after fulfilling worldly and ritual obligations, a ruler turns toward orderly succession and duty to the future.
Daśaratha begins explaining to Rāma why he is ready to pass responsibilities onward.
Accountability and honesty—Daśaratha truthfully assesses his age and completed duties.