Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 9

अष्टमः सर्गः

Daśaratha Resolves on the Aśvamedha (Horse-Sacrifice) for Progeny

Devanagari script

तदहं यष्टुमिच्छामि शास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा।कथं प्राप्स्याम्यहं कामं बुद्धिरत्रविचार्यताम्।।।।

Transliteration

tad ahaṃ yaṣṭum icchāmi śāstradṛṣṭena karmaṇā | kathaṃ prāpsyāmy ahaṃ kāmaṃ buddhir atra vicāryatām ||

Translation

Vì vậy, trẫm muốn cử hành tế lễ theo nghi quỹ mà kinh điển đã chỉ dạy. Làm sao trẫm đạt được điều mong cầu trong việc này? Xin hãy suy xét và định liệu đường lối khôn ngoan.

Word by Word

• तत्: therefore
• तत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् प्रयोग (indeclinable-like use): 'therefore/that' (contextual)

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• यष्टुम्: to perform a sacrifice
• यष्टुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: यज् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive), 'to sacrifice/perform (a rite)'

• इच्छामि: desire
• इच्छामि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष्/इच्छ् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• शास्त्रदृष्टेन: as prescribed by scripture
• शास्त्रदृष्टेन: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शास्त्र + दृष्ट (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (agreeing with कर्मणा; here instrumental singular), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष: शास्त्रेण दृष्टम् = 'seen/prescribed by scripture'

• कर्मणा: by the act/rite
• कर्मणा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन (Singular)

• कथम्: how
• कथम्: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कथम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक-अव्यय (interrogative adverb: 'how')

• प्राप्स्यामि: shall obtain/attain
• प्राप्स्यामि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + आप् (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• कामम्: desire
• कामम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• बुद्धिः: counsel/plan
• बुद्धिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• अत्र: here/in this matter
• अत्र: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/विषयवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: 'here/in this matter')

• विचार्यताम्: let (it) be considered
• विचार्यताम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + चर् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), कर्मणि-प्रयोग (Passive): 'let it be deliberated'

Context

Therefore, I intend to perform a horse-sacrifice in accordance with the scriptures. How can I fulfil my desire in this regard? You may deliberate and find a solution".

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• śāstra
• yajña (sacrifice)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is shown as acting through śāstra-guided means: the king seeks a legitimate, prescribed path rather than an arbitrary or forceful solution to fulfill his desire.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha, yearning for progeny, turns to his advisers and expresses his intent to undertake a scripturally sanctioned sacrifice, asking for guidance on how it can succeed.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility and dharmic restraint: despite being a powerful king, he submits his personal wish to counsel and scriptural procedure.