Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 2, Shloka 1

यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः

Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent

Devanagari script

ततः परिषदं सर्वामामन्त्र्य वसुधाधिपः।हितमुद्धर्षणं चैवमुवाच प्रथितं वचः।।2.2.1।।

Transliteration

tataḥ pariṣadaṃ sarvām āmantrya vasudhādhipaḥ | hitam uddharṣaṇaṃ caivam uvāca prathitaṃ vacaḥ || 2.2.1 ||

Translation

Thereafter, the lord of the earth (Daśaratha), having convened the entire assembly, spoke renowned words—beneficial in intent and stirring in effect.

Word by Word

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Avyaya (अव्यय-प्रयोग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb

• परिषदम्: the assembly
• परिषदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pariṣad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• सर्वाम्: entire
• सर्वाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies परिषदम्

• आमन्त्र्य: having invited
• आमन्त्र्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-mantr (धातु) + lyap (ल्यप्)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्/क्त्वा-अर्थे), 'having invited/addressed'

• वसुधाधिपः: lord of the earth (king)
• वसुधाधिपः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vasudhā-adhipa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: vasudhāyāḥ adhipaḥ; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• हितम्: beneficial
• हितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: PPP (क्त) from √dhā with hi-; Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies वचः

• उद्धर्षणम्: thrilling / heartening
• उद्धर्षणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uddharṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies वचः

• च: and
• च: Avyaya (अव्यय-प्रयोग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Avyaya (अव्यय-प्रयोग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, manner adverb

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• प्रथितम्: well-known / renowned
• प्रथितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prathita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: PPP (क्त) from √prath; Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies वचः

• वचः: words / speech
• वचः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

Context

Thereafter, the lord of the earth (king Dasaratha) addressed the entire assembly of invitees. He spoke these pleasing words aimed at their welfare which thrilled and delighted the hearts (of the assembled kings):

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Rājadharma: a king acts through counsel and public deliberation, speaking for the welfare of the realm and inspiring confidence.

What is the narrative situation?

At the opening of Sarga 2, Daśaratha convenes the assembly and begins a formal address to them.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Statesmanship and concern for public good: the king’s words are framed as beneficial and uplifting.