Shloka 14

द्वादशः सर्गः — Aśvamedha-saṅkalpa

Daśaratha resolves on the Horse Sacrifice

Devanagari script

गुरूणां वचनाच्छीघ्रं सम्भारास्सम्भ्रियन्तु मे।समर्थाधिष्ठितश्चाश्वस्सोपाध्यायो विमुच्यताम्।।।।

Transliteration

gurūṇāṃ vacanāc chīghraṃ sambhārāḥ sambhriyantu me | samarthādhiṣṭhitaś cāśvaḥ sopādhyāyo vimucyatām ||

Translation

“遵从诸师之言，速速备办我祭祀所需之物；并放出那匹马——由能干的勇士护卫，且由主祭随行。”

Word by Word

• gurūṇām: of the preceptors
• gurūṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (गुरु प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive Plural

• vacanāt: from/at the instruction
• vacanāt: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacana (वचन प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Ablative Singular

• śīghram: quickly
• śīghram: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śīghram (शीघ्रम् अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• sambhārāḥ: materials
• sambhārāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sambhāra (सम्भार प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative Plural

• sambhriyantu: let (them) be collected
• sambhriyantu: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhṛ (भृ धातु)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra (लोट्, Imperative), Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa Plural; with prefix sam-

• me: for me
• me: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (अस्मद् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Dative (चतुर्थी) Singular (enclitic)

• samarthādhiṣṭhitaḥ: guarded by capable men
• samarthādhiṣṭhitaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samartha + adhiṣṭhita (समर्थ + अधिष्ठित, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) compound; 'protected/guarded by the capable'; Past participle (क्त) used adjectivally; Masculine, Nominative Singular; qualifying 'aśvaḥ'

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (च अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• aśvaḥ: the horse
• aśvaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aśva (अश्व प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative Singular

• sa-upādhyāyaḥ: together with the officiating priest
• sa-upādhyāyaḥ: Sahārtha (सहार्थ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (सह/स अव्यय-उपसर्गभाव) + upādhyāya (उपाध्याय प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva (अव्ययीभाव) 'together with the upādhyāya'; Masculine, Nominative Singular; qualifying 'aśvaḥ'

• vimucyatām: let (it) be released
• vimucyatām: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: muc (मुच् धातु)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra, Ātmanepada, Prathama-puruṣa Singular; passive sense

Context

"In accordance with the instructions by my spiritual preceptors let the articles (required for performing the sacrifice) be procured and the horse released under the protection of warriors accompanied by the chief priest".

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• gurus (spiritual preceptors)
• aśva (Aśvamedha horse)
• upādhyāya (chief priest)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is obedience to rightful authority and scriptural guidance: the king acts in accordance with his gurus’ injunctions and ensures the rite is conducted responsibly and safely.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha issues practical orders for initiating the sacrificial proceedings, including gathering materials and releasing the consecrated horse under protection.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility and discipline: the king follows the counsel of spiritual elders and arranges the rite with vigilance and due care.