Shloka 4

अष्टमः सर्गः

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

Devanagari script

स निश्चितां मतिं कृत्वा यष्टव्यमिति बुद्धिमान्।मन्त्रिभिस्सह धर्मात्मा सर्वैरेव कृतात्मभि:।।1.8.3।। ततोऽब्रवीदिदं राजा सुमन्त्रं मन्त्रिसत्तमम्।शीघ्रमानय मे सर्वान्गुरूंस्तान् सपुरोहितान्।।1.8.4।।

Transliteration

tato ’bravīd idaṃ rājā sumantraṃ mantrisattamam |

śīghram ānaya me sarvān gurūṃs tān sa-purohitān ||

Translation

于是国王对群臣之首苏曼特罗说道：“速速为我迎来诸位尊师，并同王家祭司（purohita）一并带来。”

Word by Word

सःhe (the king)

निश्चिताम्firm, decided

मतिम्intention, resolve

कृत्वाhaving made

यष्टव्यम्should be sacrificed / a sacrifice should be performed

इतिthus

बुद्धिमान्wise

मन्त्रिभिःwith ministers

सहtogether with

धर्मात्माrighteous

सर्वैःwith all

एवindeed

कृतात्मभिःwith the self-controlled (ones)

Context

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."

Characters & Entities

Daśaratha

Sumantra

gurus

purohitas

FAQs

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

Dharma is upheld by honoring qualified teachers and priests and by placing sacred rites under proper guidance rather than personal whim.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha issues a direct instruction to summon the religious authorities needed for the planned rite.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence and humility before spiritual expertise, even for a sovereign.