Shloka 2.17.15

रामस्य राजमार्गगमनम् (Rama’s Progress along the Royal Highway)

Devanagari script

सर्वेषु हि स धर्मात्मा वर्णानां कुरुते दयाम्।।।।चतुर्णां हि वयः स्थानां तेन ते तमनुव्रताः।

Transliteration

sarveṣu hi sa dharmātmā varṇānāṃ kurute dayām | caturṇāṃ hi vayaḥ-sthānāṃ tena te tam anuvratāḥ ||

Translation

For that righteous-souled one showed compassion to all—across the four varṇa and across the four stages of life; therefore the people were devoted to him.

Context

That righteous Rama shows compassion to all, to the four castes, to the young and the old. So they were devoted to him.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• varṇas (social orders)
• vayaḥ-sthāna (stages of age)
• people of Ayodhya (implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma as inclusive compassion: a ruler-in-training must extend care beyond narrow identity—across social groups and ages—so that loyalty arises from justice and kindness.

What is the narrative situation?

The narrator explains why the public follows Rama: his compassion is universal, not selective.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Dayā (compassion) joined with dharma: Rama’s empathy is presented as the foundation of legitimate authority.