Valmiki Ramayana 2.1.42 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 42

गुणप्रशंसा–युवराजनिर्णयः

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

Devanagari script

दिव्यन्तरिक्षे भूमौ च घोरमुत्पातजं भयम्।।।।स़ञ्चचक्षेऽथ मेधावी शरीरे चात्मनो जराम्।

Transliteration

divy antarikṣe bhūmau ca ghoram utpātajaṃ bhayam | sañcacakṣe 'tha medhāvī śarīre cātmano jarām ||

Translation

Daraufhin nahm der weise König schaurige, aus Unheilszeichen geborene Ängste wahr—im Himmel, in der Luft und auf Erden—und er bemerkte auch, wie das Alter seinen eigenen Leib ergriff.

Word by Word

• पूर्णचन्द्राननस्य: of him whose face is like the full moon
• पूर्णचन्द्राननस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्ण + चन्द्र + आनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (पूर्णचन्द्र इव आननम् यस्य)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तर-क्रमसूचक अव्यय

• शोकापनुदम्: dispeller of grief
• शोकापनुदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शोक + अपनुद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (शोकम् अपनुदति इति)

• आत्मनः: of himself
• आत्मनः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• लोके: among the people/in the world
• लोके: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• रामस्य: of Rama
• रामस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• बुबुधे: realized/understood
• बुबुधे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: बुध् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद

• सम्प्रियत्वम्: great affection/popularity
• सम्प्रियत्वम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम् + प्रिय + त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; भाववाचक -त्व (abstract noun)

• महात्मनः: of the great-souled one
• महात्मनः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् आत्मा)

Context

King Dasaratha in consultation with his ministers observed that Rama is endowed with various virtues not found in other kings, immeasurable virtues which are praiseworthy, and exemplary. He is distinguished in this world as all qualities seem to have merged in him. The king then made up his mind to make him princeregent.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Heaven (Divi)
• Sky (Antarikṣa)
• Earth (Bhūmi)
• Omens (Utpāta)

FAQs

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

Awareness of impermanence supports dharmic action: recognizing aging and signs of change, a ruler should timely secure righteous continuity.

What is the narrative situation?

As Daśaratha plans succession, he observes ominous portents and feels his own physical decline.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s prudence—reading circumstances and acting before duty becomes impossible due to age.