Shloka 2.1.8
गुणप्रशंसा–युवराजनिर्णयः (Praise of Rama’s Virtues and the Decision on the Heir-Apparent)
कौशल्या शुशुभे तेन पुत्रेणामिततेजसा।यथा वरेण देवानामदितिर्वज्रपाणिना।।।।
kauśalyā śuśubhe tena putreṇāmitatejasā |
yathā vareṇa devānām aditir vajrapāṇinā ||
Kauśalyā shone with that son of boundless splendour, just as Aditi shone with the foremost of the gods—Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt.
Kausalya looked splendid with her son, Rama of boundless energy, as did Aditi with the chief of the gods Indra, wielder of thunder.
Dharma as auspicious lineage and responsibility: the radiance of a virtuous child reflects on the parent and signals a destiny oriented toward protecting truth and righteousness.
The narrator poetically describes Kauśalyā’s splendour due to Rāma’s presence, using a divine comparison to convey auspicious greatness.
Tejas guided by dharma—Rāma’s ‘splendour’ is not mere power, but a moral force aligned with satya.