Valmiki Ramayana 2.21.35: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 35

अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः

Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā

Devanagari script

नाहं धर्ममपूर्वं ते प्रतिकूलं प्रवर्तये।पूर्वैरयमभिप्रेतो गतो मार्गोऽनुगम्यते।।2.21.35।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.21.35

Transliteration

nāhaṃ dharmam apūrvaṃ te pratikūlaṃ pravartaye |

pūrvair ayam abhipreto gato mārgo ’nugamyate || 2.21.35 ||

Translation

I am not proposing to you some new ‘dharma’ that goes against established practice; I am following the very path approved and walked by our forebears.

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Word by Word

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• dharmam: dharma/practice
• dharmam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• apūrvam: new/unprecedented
• apūrvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: apūrva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणं धर्मम् प्रति

• te: for you/to you
• te: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, चतुर्थी (4th/सम्प्रदान), एकवचन

• pratikūlam: contrary (to tradition)
• pratikūlam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pratikūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणं धर्मम् प्रति

• pravartaye: I introduce/advance
• pravartaye: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pravṛt (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; causative sense 'set in motion/introduce'

• pūrvaiḥ: by the ancestors
• pūrvaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūrva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; 'by the ancients'

• ayam: this
• ayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; demonstrative pronoun

• abhipretaḥ: approved
• abhipretaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhi+prī (धातु)
• Form: अभिप्रेत (क्त) कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; 'approved/accepted' (qualifying mārgaḥ)

• gataḥ: trodden
• gataḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gam (धातु)
• Form: गत (क्त) कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; 'gone/trodden' (qualifying mārgaḥ)

• mārgaḥ: path
• mārgaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mārga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• anugamyate: is being followed
• anugamyate: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu+gam (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive): 'is followed'

Context

I am not advancing anything new, contrary to the existing practice. I am only following the trodden path of our ancestors.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Kausalya

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as a tested, inherited path (mārga) validated by the conduct of the righteous ancestors, rather than a novelty driven by emotion.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama argues that his decision is aligned with established royal-ethical norms, countering his mother’s grief-driven resistance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respect for maryādā (normative righteousness) and steadiness in principled conduct.