Canto 3 -
Araṇya-kāṇḍa
Chapter 66: Lakṣmaṇa Pacifies Śrī Rāma
Text 3.66.3
महता तपसा राम महता चापि कर्मणा।
राज्ञा दशरथेनासि लब्धोऽमृतमिवामरैः॥
mahatā tapasā rāma mahatā cāpi karmaṇā
rājñā daśarathenāsi labdho ’mṛtam ivāmaraiḥ
mahatā = through great; tapasā = austerity; rāma = O Rāma; mahatā = great; ca api = and; karmaṇā = rituals; rājñā = King; daśarathena = Daśaratha; asi = You; labdhaḥ = has obtained; amṛtam = [have obtained] celestial nectar; iva = just as; amaraiḥ = the immortals.
O Rāma, King Daśaratha has obtained You through great austerity and great rituals just as the immortals [have obtained] celestial nectar.
“Great austerity” indicates that Daśaratha had carried out various vows, fasted and engaged in other activities involving austerities of the body.1 “Great rituals” indicates that he had performed rituals such as the Aśvamedha and Putra-kāmeṣṭi sacrifices. Rājñā indicates that Daśaratha was a rājā [in the literal sense of the term] because he pleased the people.2 It is thus pointed out that [the sacrifices] were performed by one who was eligible to perform them and who ensured that none of the mantras, items and activities [required for the sacrificial performances] were missed out.
[King Daśaratha obtained Lord Rāma] just as the immortals attained celestial nectar. This indicates that [the Supreme Lord] was a source of enjoyment [for the king] and that He could [only] be obtained by [strenuous] endeavor. It is inferred that [though] several immortal devas endeavored [to attain celestial nectar, Lord Rāma] was obtained by a single individual, [King Daśaratha].