Shloka 1

अष्टमः सर्गः

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

Devanagari script

तस्य त्वेवं प्रभावस्य धर्मज्ञस्य महात्मन:।सुतार्थं तप्यमानस्य नासीद्वंशकरस्सुत:।।।।

Transliteration

tasya tv evaṃ prabhāvasya dharmajñasya mahātmanaḥ | sutārthaṃ tapyamānasya nāsīd vaṃśakaraḥ sutaḥ || 1.8.1 ||

Translation

他虽威力卓绝，通达正法，心怀大德；虽为求子而修行苦行，却仍未得能延续王族血脉的嗣子。

Word by Word

• चिन्तयानस्य: of (him) reflecting
• चिन्तयानस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive participial qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चिन्तय् (धातु, नामधातु) → चिन्तयान (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, शानच्)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले आत्मनेपदे शानच्-प्रत्ययान्त (present participle): 'while reflecting'; पुल्लिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुल्लिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: सम्बन्ध (adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• बुद्धिः: an idea / thought
• बुद्धिः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• आसीत्: arose / was
• आसीत्: क्रिया (main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• महात्मनः: of the great-souled (king)
• महात्मनः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive) (whose thought it was)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; पुल्लिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सुतार्थम्: for the sake of a son
• सुतार्थम्: प्रयोजन (Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुत + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; प्रयोजनार्थे

• हयमेधेन: by the Aśvamedha
• हयमेधेन: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument) (means of sacrifice)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हयमेध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: हयानां मेधः (horse-sacrifice); पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• किमर्थम्: why
• किमर्थम्: सम्बन्ध (interrogative adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किम् + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: प्रश्न-अव्यय (interrogative adverb): 'for what reason?'; (lexicalized compound)

• न: not
• न: सम्बन्ध (negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय

• यजामि: do I sacrifice / shall I perform sacrifice
• यजामि: क्रिया (main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: यज् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), उत्तम-पुरुष (1st person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Context

Such a majestic, righteous, and magnaninous king had no son to perpetuate the race even though he performed austerities for one.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Gṛhastha-dharma and royal duty include ensuring continuity of righteous governance through an heir; the verse frames the absence of an heir as a significant dharmic concern.

What is the narrative situation?

The text introduces Daśaratha’s problem: despite merit and austerities, he lacks a son to carry forward the dynasty.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Perseverance and dharma-consciousness—Daśaratha seeks a solution through religious discipline rather than impulsive action.