Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 19
गुणप्रशंसा–युवराजनिर्णयः
Praise of Rama’s Virtues and the Decision on the Heir-Apparent
स तु श्रेष्ठैर्गुणैर्युक्तः प्रजानां पार्थिवात्मजः।बहिश्चर इव प्राणो बभूव गुणतः प्रियः।।।।
sa tu śreṣṭhair guṇair yuktaḥ prajānāṃ pārthivātmajaḥ | bahiścara iva prāṇo babhūva guṇataḥ priyaḥ ||
وكان ابنُ الملك موصولًا بأشرف الفضائل، فغدا محبوبًا لدى الرعية؛ وبصلاحه كان لهم كأنه نَفَسُ الحياة نفسه، يجري خارج الجسد.
Bestowed with such excellent qualities, the prince (Rama) became a favourite of his subjects. He was like their vital life outside their bodies.
FAQs
A ruler’s dharma is to become the people’s sustaining support through virtue; public trust is won not by power but by guṇa (ethical excellence).
The narration continues cataloguing Rāma’s qualities, emphasizing his bond with the citizens and his suitability for kingship.
Belovedness grounded in virtue—his moral character makes him life-giving to society.