Shloka 2.17.8

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

Devanagari script

पितामहैराचरितं तथैव प्रपितामहैः।।।।अद्योपादाय तं मार्गमभिषिक्तोऽनुपालय।

Transliteration

pitāmahair ācaritaṃ tathaiva prapitāmahaiḥ |

adyopādāya taṃ mārgam abhiṣikto 'nupālaya ||

Translation

“Consecrated today, uphold and protect the realm by adopting that very path practiced by your grandfathers and great-grandfathers.”

Context

(They said) Consecrated today, rule the kingdom by adopting the same path followed by your grandfathers and greatgrandfathers.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• ancestors (pitāmaha, prapitāmaha)
• consecration (abhiṣeka)

FAQs

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

Rāja-dharma grounded in satya and tradition: a king should preserve the righteous standards handed down by virtuous ancestors.

What is the narrative situation?

People bless and exhort Rāma, imagining his imminent consecration and urging him to rule in ancestral ways.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Continuity of righteous governance—steadfast commitment to inherited dharmic norms.