Valmiki Ramayana 2.2.3 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 2, Shloka 3

यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः

Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent

Devanagari script

दुन्दुभिस्वनकल्पेन गम्भीरेणानुनादिना।

स्वरेण महता राजा जीमूत इव नादयन्।।2.2.2।।

राजलक्षणयुक्तेन कान्तेनानुपमेन च।

उवाच रसयुक्तेन स्वरेण नृपतिर्नृपान्।।2.2.3।।

Transliteration

dundubhi-svana-kalpena gambhīreṇānunādinā |

svareṇa mahatā rājā jīmūta iva nādayan || 2.2.2 ||

rāja-lakṣaṇa-yuktena kāntena anupamena ca |

uvāca rasa-yuktena svareṇa nṛpatir nṛpān || 2.2.3 ||

Translation

خاطب الملكُ دَشَرَثا الملوكَ المجتمعين بصوتٍ عظيمٍ عميقٍ مُدوٍّ، كدويّ الطبل وكقصف السحب الرعدية. وكان موشّىً بسمات الملوكية، فكلامه آسرٌ لا نظير له، عذبُ النغمة، وهو يوجّه خطابه إلى الملوك.

Word by Word

• विदितम्: is known
• विदितम्: Kriya (क्रिया-भाव)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vid (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: PPP (क्त) from √vid; Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); impersonal predicate 'is known'

• भवताम्: to you / of you
• भवताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun-like honorific (भवत्), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); subject of viditam (impersonal)

• यथा: how / that
• यथा: Avyaya (अव्यय-प्रयोग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction/adverb introducing content clause

• मे: my
• मे: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी) Singular (एकवचन) (enclitic)

• राज्यम्: kingdom
• राज्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• उत्तमम्: excellent
• उत्तमम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies राज्यम्

• पूर्वकैः: by former (ones)
• पूर्वकैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pūrvaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); qualifies राजेन्द्रैः

• मम: of me / my
• मम: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• राजेन्द्रैः: by great kings
• राजेन्द्रैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāja-indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa/Karmadhāraya: 'king among kings'; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• सुतवत्: like (their) sons
• सुतवत्: Avyaya (अव्यय-प्रयोग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sutavat (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, manner adverb (वत्-suffix)

• परिपालितम्: was protected/ruled
• परिपालितम्: Kriya (क्रिया-भाव)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pari-pāl (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: PPP (क्त) from pari-√pāl; Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); predicate agreeing with राज्यम्

Context

Lord of men (king Dasaratha) addressed the feudatory kings with words deep, resonant, loud like the kettledrum or the rumbling cloud, in a delightful, incomparable and attractive voice that carried all the dignity of royalty:

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

The verse foregrounds rājadharma: a king’s public speech should embody dignity, restraint, and clarity. Daśaratha’s royal, measured voice signals responsible governance and the ethical weight of decisions taken before an assembly.

What is the narrative situation?

In Ayodhyā’s court assembly, King Daśaratha begins addressing the gathered rulers; this sets the stage for the public deliberations that will lead to the proposal of Rāma’s installation as prince regent.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s majesty and kingship-competence: composure, gravitas, and the ability to communicate with authoritative yet pleasing speech—qualities expected of a righteous ruler.