Valmiki Ramayana 2.109.9: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 109, Shloka 9
सत्यधर्मप्रतिपादनम्
Rama’s Defense of Truth and Dharma in Reply to Jabali
कामवृत्तस्त्वयं लोकः कृत्स्न स्समुपवर्तते।यद्वृत्ता स्सन्ति राजानस्तद्वृत्ता स्सन्ति हि प्रजाः।।2.109.9।।
kāmavṛttas tv ayaṃ lokaḥ kṛtsnaḥ samupavartate | yad-vṛttāḥ santi rājānas tad-vṛttāḥ santi hi prajāḥ || 2.109.9 ||
Diese ganze Welt handelt nach ihren eigenen Regungen; und wahrlich, die Untertanen nehmen genau das Verhalten an, das ihre Könige zeigen.
The entire world conducts itself as per its own sweet will. Therefore the subjects will follow the same path as their kings.
FAQs
Rājadharma: the ruler’s conduct shapes the moral life of society; therefore a king must restrain desire and embody dharma so that the people are guided toward right action.
A reflective statement in Ayodhyākāṇḍa emphasizing governance: the speaker explains that public behavior mirrors royal behavior, underscoring the stakes of a king’s choices.
Self-restraint and exemplary leadership—living by dharma so that one becomes a trustworthy model for others.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Valmiki Ramayana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.