Shloka 2

सुन्‍दरकाण्डे एकत्रिंशः सर्गः

Hanuman’s Sweet Address to Sita and Sita’s Recognition

Devanagari script

राजा दशरथो नाम रथकुञ्जरवाजिमान्।पुण्यशीलो महाकीर्तिरिक्ष्वाकूणां महायशाः।।।।

Transliteration

rājā daśaratho nāma rathakuñjaravājimān |

puṇyaśīlo mahākīrtir ikṣvākūṇāṃ mahāyaśāḥ ||

Translation

Es gab einen König namens Daśaratha, reich an Wagen, Elefanten und Pferden; tugendhaft im Wandel, weithin berühmt und eine große Zierde des Ikṣvāku-Geschlechts.

Word by Word

• rājarṣīṇām: among/of royal sages
• rājarṣīṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājarṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• guṇaśreṣṭhaḥ: best in qualities
• guṇaśreṣṭhaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: guṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष: ‘guṇeṣu śreṣṭhaḥ’ (best in virtues)

• tapasā: by austerity
• tapasā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय)

• ṛṣibhiḥ: with sages
• ṛṣibhiḥ: Sahakāraka (सहकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• samaḥ: equal
• samaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• cakravartikule: in the imperial dynasty
• cakravartikule: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cakravartin (प्रातिपदिक) + kula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष: ‘cakravartināṃ kulaṃ’ (dynasty of emperors)

• jātaḥ: born
• jātaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jan (जनी प्रादुर्भावे) (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (भूतकृदन्त; क्त), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• purandarasamaḥ: equal to Purandara (Indra)
• purandarasamaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: purandara (प्रातिपदिक) + sama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष: ‘purandareṇa samaḥ’ (equal to Indra)

• bale: in strength
• bale: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

Context

"While looking for the goddess-like lady, the sinless Sita in the forest, Rama met a monkey called Sugriva and made friendship with him

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Ikṣvāku dynasty

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as the foundation of legitimate kingship: a ruler’s fame and power are grounded in virtuous conduct (puṇyaśīla).

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān begins establishing Rāma’s credibility for Sītā by recounting his royal lineage, starting with King Daśaratha.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s virtue and renown—ethical character paired with rightful royal prosperity.