Valmiki Ramayana · Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 2
सोऽहमिक्ष्वाकुभि स्सर्वैर्नरेन्द्रैः परिपालितम्। श्रेयसा योक्तुकामोऽस्मि सुखार्हमखिलं जगत्
so'hamikṣvākubhi ssarvairnarendraiḥ paripālitam| śreyasā yoktukāmo'smi sukhārhamakhilaṃ jagat
I desire to accomplish the welfare of this entire world which deserves the happiness brought about by the rule of all the Ikshvaku kings.
— M.N. Dutt (1891)
Commentary
Dasharatha has followed the path of his forefathers, protecting the people to the best of his ability. The verse is humble — a king acknowledging that he has done his duty but no more. He is not claiming greatness; he is preparing to pass the burden to one greater than himself.
पितृपथरक्षण