Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 14

मन्थराकैकेयीसंवादः — Mantharā’s Counsel to Kaikeyī

Ayodhyā’s Succession Alarm

Devanagari script

धर्मज्ञो गुरुभिर्दान्तः कृतज्ञस्सत्यवाक्छुचिः।रामो राज्ञ स्सुतो ज्येष्ठो यौवराज्यमतोऽर्हति।।2.8.14।।

Transliteration

dharmajño gurubhir dāntaḥ kṛtajñaḥ satyavāk śuciḥ | rāmo rājñaḥ suto jyeṣṭho yauvarājyam ato 'rhati || 2.8.14 ||

Translation

Rama knows dharma; trained by elders, he is self-restrained; grateful, truthful in speech, and pure. As the king’s eldest son, he therefore deserves the rank of heir-apparent.

Word by Word

• धर्मज्ञः: knower of righteousness
• धर्मज्ञः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म + ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (धर्मं जानाति) ‘knower of dharma’

• गुरुभिः: by elders/teachers
• गुरुभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; करण/सह

• दान्तः: disciplined
• दान्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दान्त (कृदन्त; √दम् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘self-restrained’

• कृतज्ञः: grateful
• कृतज्ञः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत + ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (कृतं जानाति) ‘grateful’

• सत्यवाक्: truthful in speech
• सत्यवाक्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्य + वाच् (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (सत्यं वाक्यं यस्य) ‘truth-speaking’

• शुचिः: pure
• शुचिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• रामः: Rama
• रामः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• राज्ञः: of the king
• राज्ञः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सुतः: son
• सुतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विधेय (predicate nominative)

• ज्येष्ठः: eldest
• ज्येष्ठः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्येष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• यौवराज्यम्: heir-apparency, regency
• यौवराज्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यौवराज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अतः: therefore
• अतः: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतः (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतु-अव्यय (therefore)

• अर्हति: is fit/deserves
• अर्हति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अर्ह् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Context

Rama knows righteouness. He has been taught self-restraint by elders. He is grateful and truthful. He is undefiled. He is the eldest son of the king. Therefore, he deserves to be the heir-apparent (of the kingdom).

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyi
• Manthara
• Rama
• king (Dasharatha, implied)
• yauvarājya (heir-apparent office)

FAQs

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

Legitimate authority rests on virtue and rightful order: Kaikeyi affirms that dharma, truthfulness, and seniority make Rama fit for the crown-princeship.

What is the narrative situation?

In response to Mantharā’s agitation, Kaikeyi defends the decision to anoint Rama by listing his moral qualifications.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s satya (truthful speech), śauca (purity), and dama (self-restraint), presented as foundations of rajadharma.