Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 28

गुणप्रशंसा–युवराजनिर्णयः

Praise of Rama’s Virtues and the Decision on the Heir-Apparent

Devanagari script

वैहारिकाणां शिल्पानां विज्ञाताऽऽर्थविभागवित्।आरोहे विनये चैव युक्तो वारणवाजिनाम्।।।।

Transliteration

vaihārikāṇāṃ śilpānāṃ vijñātā ’rthavibhāgavit | ārohe vinaye caiva yukto vāraṇavājinām ||

Translation

He understood the arts of refined recreation and knew the proper apportioning of wealth. He was skilled in mounting elephants and horses, and equally skilled in training them to obedience.

Word by Word

• वैहारिकाणाम्: of recreational/entertaining
• वैहारिकाणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वैहारिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (contextual; qualifying शिल्पानाम्), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन

• शिल्पानाम्: of arts/crafts
• शिल्पानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिल्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• विज्ञाता: knower; one well-versed
• विज्ञाता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वि + ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: क्तृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (Agent noun), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अर्थ-विभाग-वित्: knower of the distribution/allocation of wealth
• अर्थ-विभाग-वित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + विभाग (प्रातिपदिक) + विद् (धातु/प्रातिपदिक-आधार)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; 'वित्' (knower) शब्दः, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• आरोहे: in mounting; in ascent
• आरोहे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आरोह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• विनये: in discipline/training
• विनये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विनय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• एव: indeed; also
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• युक्तः: skilled; experienced; endowed
• युक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (PPP used adjectivally), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वारण-वाजिनाम्: of elephants and horses
• वारण-वाजिनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वारण (प्रातिपदिक) + वाजिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

Context

He had understanding of art and craft useful for entertainment. He knew proper ways of dispensing wealth. He was experienced in riding elephants and horses and in humbling them.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• elephants
• horses

FAQs

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

A ruler’s dharma includes cultured refinement and practical competence—especially fair stewardship and allocation of wealth (artha) for social order.

What is the narrative situation?

The text continues enumerating Rāma’s royal competencies: arts, economic discernment, and mastery of royal transport/war-animals.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Practical wisdom and administrative fairness: he knows how to dispense resources appropriately and maintains disciplined control (vinaya).