Shloka 2.2.2
यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः (Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent)
दुन्दुभिस्वनकल्पेन गम्भीरेणानुनादिना।
स्वरेण महता राजा जीमूत इव नादयन्।।2.2.2।।
राजलक्षणयुक्तेन कान्तेनानुपमेन च।
उवाच रसयुक्तेन स्वरेण नृपतिर्नृपान्।।2.2.3।।
dundubhi-svana-kalpena gambhīreṇānunādinā |
svareṇa mahatā rājā jīmūta iva nādayan || 2.2.2 ||
rāja-lakṣaṇa-yuktena kāntena anupamena ca |
uvāca rasa-yuktena svareṇa nṛpatir nṛpān || 2.2.3 ||
King Daśaratha addressed the assembled rulers in a great voice—deep and reverberant like the resonance of a kettledrum, like thunder-clouds that rumble. Endowed with the marks of royalty, his speech was attractive, incomparable, and richly pleasing as he spoke to the kings.
Lord of men (king Dasaratha) addressed the feudatory kings with words deep, resonant, loud like the kettledrum or the rumbling cloud, in a delightful, incomparable and attractive voice that carried all the dignity of royalty:
The verse foregrounds rājadharma: a king’s public speech should embody dignity, restraint, and clarity. Daśaratha’s royal, measured voice signals responsible governance and the ethical weight of decisions taken before an assembly.
In Ayodhyā’s court assembly, King Daśaratha begins addressing the gathered rulers; this sets the stage for the public deliberations that will lead to the proposal of Rāma’s installation as prince regent.
Daśaratha’s majesty and kingship-competence: composure, gravitas, and the ability to communicate with authoritative yet pleasing speech—qualities expected of a righteous ruler.