Valmiki Ramayana 2.82.13 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 82, Shloka 13

भरतस्य धर्मप्रतिज्ञा तथा रामनिवर्तनयात्रा

Bharata’s Vow of Dharma and the Expedition to Recall Rama

Devanagari script

ज्येष्ठ श्श्रेष्ठश्च धर्मात्मा दिलीपनहुषोपमः।लब्धुमर्हति काकुत्स्थो राज्यं दशरथो यथा।।।।

Transliteration

jyeṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭhaś ca dharmātmā dilīpa-nahuṣopamaḥ |

labdhum arhati kākutstho rājyaṃ daśaratho yathā ||

Translation

Rāma aus dem Geschlecht der Kakutstha—der Erstgeborene, der Beste und Rechtschaffene, Dilīpa und Nahuṣa vergleichbar—verdient dieses Königreich zu erlangen, wie es einst Daśaratha tat.

Word by Word

• ज्येष्ठः: eldest
• ज्येष्ठः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्येष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; nominative singular qualifying काकुत्स्थः

• श्रेष्ठः: best
• श्रेष्ठः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; nominative singular qualifying काकुत्स्थः

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय; conjunction

• धर्मात्मा: righteous-souled
• धर्मात्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म-आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; nominative singular; 'whose self is dharma'

• दिलीपनहुषोपमः: like Dilipa and Nahusha
• दिलीपनहुषोपमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिलीप-नहुष-उपम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; nominative singular; 'comparable to Dilipa and Nahusha'

• लब्धुम्: to obtain
• लब्धुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/तुमर्थ)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √लभ् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive); 'to obtain'

• अर्हति: deserves
• अर्हति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अर्ह् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; 'deserves/is entitled'

• काकुत्स्थः: Kakutstha (Rama)
• काकुत्स्थः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काकुत्स्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; nominative singular (Rama)

• राज्यम्: kingdom
• राज्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; accusative singular

• दशरथः: Dasaratha
• दशरथः: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दशरथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; nominative singular (standard of comparison)

• यथा: as
• यथा: Upamā (उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा/प्रकार-अव्यय; 'as/like'

Context

The eldest, eminent and righteous Rama, the scion of the Kakutstha dynasty, who is comparable to Dilipa and Nahusha deserves to inherit this kingdom just as Dasaratha did.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Daśaratha
• Dilīpa
• Nahuṣa
• Kakutstha dynasty

FAQs

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

Rightful succession is tied to both birth-order and merit: Bharata frames kingship as a dhārmic trust earned by righteousness and continuity with exemplary ancestors.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata argues before the court that Rāma alone is fit to inherit, supporting his claim through lineage ideals and moral excellence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Justice and reverence for tradition: Bharata upholds the standards set by ancestral exemplars rather than personal advantage.