Valmiki Ramayana 2.21.40: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 40

अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः · Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma

based persuasion of Kausalyā

Spoken by RamaSetting: Ayodhyā (royal precincts)

Devanagari script

धर्मो हि परमो लोके धर्मे सत्यं प्रतिष्ठितम् ।

धर्मसंश्रितमेतच्च पितुर्वचनमुत्तमम् ॥४०॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.21.40

Transliteration

dharmo hi paramo loke dharme satyaṃ pratiṣṭhitam |

dharmasaṃśritam etac ca pitur vacanam uttamam ||40||

Translation

For dharma is supreme in this world, and truth stands firmly grounded in dharma. And this excellent command of my father rests upon dharma.

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Word by Word

• dharmaḥ: dharma
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• hi: indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतौ/निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)

• paramaḥ: supreme
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणं dharmaḥ प्रति
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• loke: in the world
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन
• Role: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)

• dharme: in dharma
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन
• Role: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)

• satyam: truth
• Type: Noun
• Root: satya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• pratiṣṭhitam: is established
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra+sthā (धातु)
• Form: प्रतिष्ठित (क्त) कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'established' (agreeing with satyam)
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया)

• dharmasaṃśritam: supported by dharma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma-saṃśrita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी/उपपद-तत्पुरुषभावः: 'resting on dharma' (saṃśrita = kta of saṃ+śri)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• etat: this
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• ca: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)

• pituḥ: of father
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)

• vacanam: command/word
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• uttamam: excellent
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणं vacanam प्रति
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

Sandhi Notes

• धर्मो = dharmaḥ (visarga sandhi)
• धर्मसंश्रितम् (dharma + saṃśrita)
• एतच्च = etat + ca
• वचनमुत्तमम् = vacanam + uttamam

Context

Righteousness alone is supreme in this world and truth is established in righteousness. This excellent command of our father is supported by righteousness.

The teaching

Dharma is supreme; truth stands upon dharma; therefore a father’s righteous command must be upheld.

Duties in tension

• Personal welfare/royal comfort vs obedience to father’s command
• Immediate political expediency vs adherence to dharma-satya

Ethical theme

Satya-dharma / filial duty

How it resolves

Principle-based adherence (dharma-satya prioritized)

Devotion and practice

Daily reflection on dharma and satya; strengthens vrata-like commitment to truthfulness and duty.

Mantra

धर्मो हि परमो लोके

Mood and themes

Rasa

Shanta (peace), with Vira (heroism)

Mood

Principled, composed, resolute

Themes

• Dharma
• Satya
• Pitṛ-vākya-paripālana
• Maryada
• Ethics

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Dharma
• Satya (Truth)

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as the highest standard, and satya (truthfulness/keeping one’s word) is rooted in dharma. Obeying a righteous command—especially a father’s solemn word—is treated as a dharmic obligation.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma explains why he will accept forest exile: the father’s command must be upheld because dharma and truth are paramount.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s steadfast commitment to dharma and satya—his willingness to sacrifice personal gain to preserve moral order.