Canto 1 - Boyhood
Bāla-kāṇḍa
Chapter 8: Daśaratha Decides to Perform the Aśvamedha Sacrifice
Text 1.8.16

शक्यः प्राप्तुमयं यज्ञः सर्वेणापि महीक्षिता।
नापराधो भवेत्कष्टो यद्यस्मिन्क्रतुसत्तमे॥

śakyaḥ prāptum ayaṁ yajñaḥ sarveṇāpi mahī-kṣitā
nāparādho bhavet kaṣṭo yady asmin kratu-sattame

śakyaḥ prāptum = would successfully execute; ayam = this; yajñaḥ = sacrifice; sarveṇa api = every; mahī-kṣitā = king; na = no; aparādhaḥ = risk of committing offenses; bhavet = there would be; kaṣṭaḥ = or calamity; yadi = if; asmin kratu-sattame = in the performance of this best of sacrifices.

If there would be no offense or calamity in the performance of this best of sacrifices, every king would successfully execute this sacrifice.

Out of fear of calamities due to inattention, petty kings do not execute this sacrifice.