Valmiki Ramayana 2.1.22 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 22

गुणप्रशंसा–युवराजनिर्णयः

Praise of Rama’s Virtues and the Decision on the Heir-Apparent

Devanagari script

धर्मकामार्थतत्त्वज्ञः स्मृतिमान्प्रतिभानवान्।लौकिके समयाचारे कृतकल्पो विशारदः।।।।

Transliteration

dharma-kāma-artha-tattva-jñaḥ smṛtimān pratibhānavān | laukike samayācāre kṛta-kalpo viśāradaḥ ||

Translation

Er kannte das wahre Wesen von Dharma, Artha und Kāma; sein Gedächtnis war stark und sein Geist von scharfer Klarheit. In weltlichen Sitten, rechter Lebensführung und ritueller Ordnung war er vollendet und höchst kundig.

Word by Word

• dharma-kāma-artha-tattva-jñaḥ: knower of the true nature of dharma, kāma, and artha
• dharma-kāma-artha-tattva-jñaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + kāma (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक) + tattva (प्रातिपदिक) + jñā (धातु)→jña (कृदन्त)
• Form: समास: (धर्म+काम+अर्थ) इति द्वन्द्व-पूर्वपद + तत्पुरुष ‘तत्त्वस्य ज्ञः’; पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘knower of the true nature of dharma, kāma, artha’

• smṛtimān: having good memory
• smṛtimān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: smṛti (प्रातिपदिक) + -mant (प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘possessing memory’

• pratibhānavān: brilliant
• pratibhānavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pratibhā (प्रातिपदिक) + -vant (प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘possessing genius’

• laukike: in worldly
• laukike: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: laukika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; ‘in worldly (matters)’ (qualifies samayācāre)

• samaya-ācāre: in social customs
• samaya-ācāre: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samaya (प्रातिपदिक) + ācāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष (कर्मधारय-प्रायः) ‘समयः आचारः’ (social convention); पुल्लिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; ‘in social customs’

• kṛta-kalpaḥ: accomplished in ritual procedure (Kalpa)
• kṛta-kalpaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृदन्त; √kṛ) + kalpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: कर्मधारय ‘कृतः कल्पः यस्य/कृतकल्पः’; पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘accomplished in Kalpa (ritual procedure)’

• viśāradaḥ: highly skilled
• viśāradaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viśārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘highly skilled’

Context

He knew the true nature of dharma, artha and kama. With a sharp memory, he was a genius. He was highly skilled in accomplishing tasks related to social practices and customs.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as discerning balance: understanding how righteousness (dharma), prosperity (artha), and desire (kāma) must be aligned with truth and social order.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration continues listing the competencies that qualify Rāma for leadership in both sacred and civic domains.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Intelligent discernment—memory, brilliance, and mastery of both social propriety and ritual procedure.