Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 7

वाली–रामसंवादः

Rama’s Justification to Vali on Rājadharma

Devanagari script

तां पालयति धर्मात्मा भरतस्सत्यवागृजुः।धर्मकामार्थतत्त्वज्ञो निग्रहानुग्रहे रतः।।

Transliteration

tāṃ pālayati dharmātmā bharataḥ satyavāg ṛjuḥ | dharmakāmārthatattvajño nigrahānugrahe rataḥ ||

Translation

That earth is ruled by Bharata—righteous in nature, truthful in speech, upright—one who knows the principles of dharma, kāma, and artha, and who is devoted to both punishment and favor (as justice requires).

Word by Word

• tām: that (earth)
• tām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक सर्वनाम)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; refers to bhūmi

• pālayati: rules/protects
• pālayati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pāl (धातु √pāl)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (Present), Parasmaipada; Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person), Ekavacana

• dharmātmā: righteous
• dharmātmā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; बहुव्रीहि 'whose self is dharma' = righteous; qualifies bharataḥ

• bharataḥ: Bharata
• bharataḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bharata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• satyavāk: truthful in speech
• satyavāk: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: satya (प्रातिपदिक) + vāc (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; बहुव्रीहि 'one whose speech is truth'

• ṛjuḥ: upright
• ṛjuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ṛju (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; adjective qualifying bharataḥ

• dharma-kāma-artha-tattva-jñaḥ: knower of the principles of dharma, desire, and wealth
• dharma-kāma-artha-tattva-jñaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + kāma (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक) + tattva (प्रातिपदिक) + jña (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक from √jñā)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; multi-member तत्पुरुष: 'dharma-kāma-artha' as objects whose 'tattva' (truth) is known; overall 'tattva-jña' = knower of the principles

• nigraha-anugrahe: in punishment and favor
• nigraha-anugrahe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nigraha (प्रातिपदिक) + anugraha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Dual; द्वन्द्व; locative of sphere

• rataḥ: devoted/engaged
• rataḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ram (धातु √ram) + rata (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), used adjectivally; Masculine, Nominative, Singular; 'engaged/delighting'

Context

'Bharata, righteous, truthful, upright, knower of dharma, artha and kama and dispenser of punishment and rewards, rules this earth.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Earth (vasudhā implied)

FAQs

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

Rajadharma: a ruler must uphold dharma through truthful, upright governance, balancing punishment and reward to protect social order.

What is the narrative situation?

In the Kishkindhā episode, Vāli refers to Bharata’s righteous rule over the earth while addressing Rāma in their ethical debate.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bharata’s virtues—truthfulness, uprightness, and discernment in administering justice—are highlighted.