Shloka 49

वाली–रामसंवादः

Rama’s Justification to Vali on Rājadharma

Devanagari script

त्वं हि दृष्टार्थतत्त्वज्ञ: प्रजानां च हिते रतः।कार्यकारणसिद्धौ च प्रसन्ना बुद्धिरव्यया।।

Transliteration

tvaṃ hi dṛṣṭārtha-tattvajñaḥ prajānāṃ ca hite rataḥ | kārya-kāraṇa-siddhau ca prasannā buddhir avyayā ||

Translation

Denn du erkennst die Wirklichkeit, wie sie ist, und kennst die Wahrheit der Dinge; dem Wohl der Menschen bist du zugetan. Und weil du klar unterscheidest, was zu tun ist und welche Ursachen zu welchen Folgen führen, ist dein Urteil standhaft und dein Wesen gütig.

Word by Word

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• hi: indeed
• hi: Emphasis
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)

• dṛṣṭārtha-tattva-jñaḥ: knower of truth and purpose
• dṛṣṭārtha-tattva-jñaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of tvam
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dṛṣṭa-artha (कृदन्त+प्रातिपदिक) + tattva (प्रातिपदिक) + jña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound (multi-member); Masculine, Nominative, Singular; components: dṛṣṭa-artha 'one who has seen/realized the purpose', tattva 'truth', jña 'knower'

• prajānām: of the people/subjects
• prajānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चय)

• hite: in welfare/benefit
• hite: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular; 'in welfare'

• rataḥ: devoted
• rataḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of tvam
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ram (धातु) > rata (कृदन्त)
• Form: Kṛdanta past participle (क्त) used adjectivally; Masculine, Nominative, Singular; 'engaged/devoted'

• kārya-kāraṇa-siddhau: in determining action and cause
• kārya-kāraṇa-siddhau: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārya (प्रातिपदिक) + kāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + siddhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Feminine, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular; 'in the ascertainment/establishment of what is to be done and its cause'

• ca: and
• ca: Sam uccaya
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle

• prasannā: clear, serene
• prasannā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of buddhiḥ
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prasanna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular; agreeing with buddhiḥ

• buddhiḥ: intellect
• buddhiḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (of implied 'asti')
• Type: Noun
• Root: buddhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• avyayā: unfailing
• avyayā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of buddhiḥ
• Type: Adjective
• Root: avyaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular; agreeing with buddhiḥ; 'unfailing/unchanging'

Context

'You are a wise man given to truth and righteousness.You remain devoted to people's well-being. As you know for certain about cause and effect your intellect is sound and words pleasant.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• prajāḥ (the people/subjects)

FAQs

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

The verse praises dharmic governance grounded in clear discernment: a ruler or protector should seek the people’s welfare and act with awareness of causes and consequences (kārya–kāraṇa).

What is the narrative situation?

After being mortally wounded, Vali addresses Rama, acknowledging Rama’s wisdom and public-mindedness while preparing to seek protection for his family.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s steadiness of intellect (prasannā buddhiḥ) and commitment to the common good—qualities central to ideal kingship.