Shloka 2.2.39

यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः (Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent)

Devanagari script

शुश्रूषन्ते च व श्शिष्याः कच्चित्कर्मसु दंशिताः।।2.2.39।।इति नः पुरुषव्याघ्र स्सदा रामोऽभिभाषते।

Transliteration

viditaṃ bhavatām etad yathā me rājyam uttamam | pūrvakair mama rājendraiḥ sutavat paripālitam || 2.2.4 ||

Translation

You all know well how this excellent kingdom of mine was governed by my royal predecessors—great kings who protected their subjects as tenderly as their own children.

Context

Rama, a tiger among men, always enquires whether our disciples discharge their duties.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Ayodhyā (implied by context of the kingdom)
• former kings (pūrvakāḥ rājendraḥ)

FAQs

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

Rāja-dharma: a king must protect and nurture the people with parental responsibility, not exploit them; governance is caretaking.

What is the narrative situation?

In the royal assembly, Daśaratha recalls the established tradition of righteous rule upheld by earlier kings of his line.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Responsible kingship—protectiveness, continuity of good governance, and reverence for inherited dharmic standards.