Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 9

गुणप्रशंसा–युवराजनिर्णयः

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

Devanagari script

स हि रूपोपपन्नश्च वीर्यवाननसूयकः।भूमौवनुपमस्सूनुर्गुणैर्दशरथोपमः।।।।

Transliteration

sa hi rūpopapannaś ca vīryavān anasūyakaḥ |

bhūmau anupamaḥ sūnur guṇair daśarathopamaḥ ||

Translation

For he—handsome, valiant, and free from envy—was, by his virtues, equal to Daśaratha; indeed, on earth Rāma was an incomparable son.

Word by Word

• सः: he
• सः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• हि: indeed
• हि: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle)

• रूपोपपन्नः: endowed with beauty
• रूपोपपन्नः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Adjective of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रूप-उपपन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समास: रूपेण उपपन्नः (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष)

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय (conjunction)

• वीर्यवान्: valiant
• वीर्यवान्: कर्ता-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीर्यवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त (possessive adjective)

• अनसूयकः: free from envy
• अनसूयकः: कर्ता-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनसूयक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नञ्-पूर्वक (negated)

• भूमौ: on earth
• भूमौ: अधिकरण (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• अनुपमः: incomparable
• अनुपमः: कर्ता-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनुपम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नञ्-पूर्वक

• सूनुः: son
• सूनुः: कर्ता (Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• गुणैः: by virtues
• गुणैः: करण/हेतु (Instrument/means; by virtues)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• दशरथोपमः: equal to Dasaratha
• दशरथोपमः: कर्ता-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दशरथ-उपम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समास: दशरथस्य उपमः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

Context

Endowed with beauty and strengh, free from envy, and in virtues equal to Dasaratha, Rama was verily an incomparable son on earth.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Daśaratha
• Bhūmi (earth)

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as inner excellence: freedom from envy (anasūyā) and steadfast virtue (guṇa). True worthiness for rule is grounded in character, not merely status.

What is the narrative situation?

At the opening of the Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, the text establishes Rāma’s exemplary qualities, preparing the reader for the impending political and moral crisis around the succession.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Anasūyā (non-envy) along with vīrya (valor) and guṇa (ethical excellence), portraying Rāma as uniquely fit and emotionally disciplined.