Shloka 2.1.11

गुणप्रशंसा–युवराजनिर्णयः (Praise of Rama’s Virtues and the Decision on the Heir-Apparent)

Devanagari script

कथञ्चिदुपकारेण कृतेनैकेन तुष्यति।न स्मरत्यपकाराणां शतमप्यात्मवत्तया।।।।

Transliteration

kathañcid upakāreṇa kṛtena ekena tuṣyati | na smaraty apakārāṇāṃ śatam api ātmavattayā ||

Translation

By self-mastery, he was satisfied even with a single good turn done in any manner, yet he did not keep in mind even a hundred wrongs done by others.

Context

Gifted with self-restraint, Rama was pleased even with a single benefit done somehow to him, yet did not remember even a hundred offences committed by others.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma

FAQs

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

Dharma of gratitude and forgiveness: value even small kindnesses, and do not nourish resentment by repeatedly recalling injuries.

What is the narrative situation?

A continued portrait of Rāma’s conduct—how he responds to benefit and harm from others.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Ātmavattā (self-mastery) expressed as gratitude and a forgiving memory.