Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 33, Shloka 12

त्रयस्त्रिंशः सर्गः

Civic Lament and Rama’s Dutiful Approach to Daśaratha

Devanagari script

अनृशंस्यमनुक्रोशः श्रुतं शीलं दमश्शमः।राघवं शोभयन्त्येते षड्गुणाः पुरुषोत्तमम्।।।।

Transliteration

anṛśaṃsyam anukrośaḥ śrutaṃ śīlaṃ damaḥ śamaḥ | rāghavaṃ śobhayanty ete ṣaḍguṇāḥ puruṣottamam ||

Translation

Harmlessness, compassion, learning, good character, restraint of the senses, and inner calm—these six virtues adorn Rāghava, the best of men.

Word by Word

• anṛśaṃsyam: non-cruelty, kindness
• anṛśaṃsyam: Karta (कर्ता; member of list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anṛśaṃsya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• anukrośaḥ: compassion
• anukrośaḥ: Karta (कर्ता; member of list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anukrośa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• śrutam: learning
• śrutam: Karta (कर्ता; member of list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śruta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √śru श्रु)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Prathamā, Ekavacana; PPP used as noun: 'learning/what is heard'

• śīlam: good conduct
• śīlam: Karta (कर्ता; member of list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• damaḥ: sense-restraint
• damaḥ: Karta (कर्ता; member of list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• śamaḥ: tranquillity, self-control
• śamaḥ: Karta (कर्ता; member of list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• rāghavam: Rama (Raghava)
• rāghavam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāghava (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• śobhayanti: adorn
• śobhayanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śubh (शुभ्) + ṇic (causative)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra, Prathama-puruṣa, Bahuvacana, Parasmaipada; causative sense 'adorn'

• ete: these
• ete: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; demonstrative pronoun

• ṣaḍguṇāḥ: six qualities
• ṣaḍguṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṣaṭ (संख्या) + guṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvigu compound (द्विगु): ṣaḍ-guṇāḥ 'six qualities'; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana

• puruṣottamam: best of men
• puruṣottamam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya: puruṣa-uttama 'best of men'; Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; apposition/qualifier of rāghavam

Context

Harmlessness, compassion, learning, good conduct, restraint of senses and self-control, all these six qualities adorn Rama, the greatest among men.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (Rāghava)

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as a constellation of lived virtues—non-violence, compassion, learning, and self-mastery—showing that righteousness is practical character, not mere status.

What is the narrative situation?

In the wake of the exile order, the people articulate why Rāma is universally beloved: his virtues make him the natural protector and moral center.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-control (dama, śama) alongside compassion (anukrośa): power is sanctified by restraint and empathy.