Content | Valmiki Ramayanam

[Dasaratha had no sons to continue the Ikshvaku race --sorrow grew with advancing age-- intends to perform aswamedha for a successor-- summons all ministers and counsellors--sages and family priests to approve his proposal.]

तस्य त्वेवं प्रभावस्य धर्मज्ञस्य महात्मन:।

सुतार्थं तप्यमानस्य नासीद्वंशकरस्सुत:।।1.8.1।।

Translation

एवंप्रभावस्य of such majestic one, धर्मज्ञस्य of the knower of righteousness, महात्मन: of the greatful soul, सुतार्थम् for begetting sons, तप्यमानस्य performing rigourous austerities, तस्य for king Dasaratha, वंशकर: perpetuating the race, सुत: son, नासीत् did not beget.

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