Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 4
अष्टमः सर्गः
Daśaratha Resolves on the Aśvamedha (Horse-Sacrifice) for Progeny
स निश्चितां मतिं कृत्वा यष्टव्यमिति बुद्धिमान्।मन्त्रिभिस्सह धर्मात्मा सर्वैरेव कृतात्मभि:।।1.8.3।। ततोऽब्रवीदिदं राजा सुमन्त्रं मन्त्रिसत्तमम्।शीघ्रमानय मे सर्वान्गुरूंस्तान् सपुरोहितान्।।1.8.4।।
tato ’bravīd idaṃ rājā sumantraṃ mantrisattamam |
śīghram ānaya me sarvān gurūṃs tān sa-purohitān ||
Bấy giờ nhà vua nói với Sumantra, bậc ưu tú nhất trong hàng đại thần: “Hãy mau đem đến cho trẫm tất cả các bậc tôn sư, cùng các vị quốc sư tế quan.”
Thereafter the king said to his dearest wives: "I intend to perform a sacrifice in order to obtain sons. Therefore, you, too, commence religious discipline."
FAQs
Dharma is upheld by honoring qualified teachers and priests and by placing sacred rites under proper guidance rather than personal whim.
Daśaratha issues a direct instruction to summon the religious authorities needed for the planned rite.
Reverence and humility before spiritual expertise, even for a sovereign.