Shloka 1.1.19

श्रीमद्रामायणकथासङ्क्षेपः / The Ramayana in Synopsis (Narada’s Summary to Valmiki)

Devanagari script

तमेवं गुणसम्पन्नं रामं सत्यपराक्रमम् ।।।।ज्येष्ठं श्रेष्ठगुणैर्युक्तं प्रियं दशरथस्सुतम् ।प्रकृतीनां हितैर्युक्तं प्रकृतिप्रियकाम्यया ।।।।यौवराज्येन संयोक्तुमैच्छत्प्रीत्या महीपति: ।

Transliteration

tam evaṃ guṇasampannaṃ rāmaṃ satyaparākramam | jyeṣṭhaṃ śreṣṭhaguṇair yuktaṃ priyaṃ daśarathas sutam | prakṛtīnāṃ hitair yuktaṃ prakṛtipriyakāmyayā | yauvarājyena saṃyoktum aicchat prītyā mahīpatiḥ ||

Translation

Seeing Rāma thus endowed with virtues—his valor grounded in truth—eldest, furnished with the finest qualities, and dear as Daśaratha’s son; devoted to the welfare of the people and eager for what pleases them, the lord of the earth, out of affection, desired to appoint him as heir-apparent.

Context

With a desire to promote the welfare of the people king Dasaratha decided to install Sri Rama, his eldest and affectionate son as heir (apparent) who was bestowed with all excellent qualities and true prowess, beloved of the people he was ever intent in the welfare of the people.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Daśaratha
• Prakṛti (subjects/people)
• Yauvarājya (heir-apparent office)

FAQs

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

Rāja-dharma: a king should choose leadership based on virtue, truth-grounded valor, and commitment to the people’s welfare.

What is the narrative situation?

Within Nārada’s synopsis, Daśaratha, pleased by Rāma’s virtues and public-mindedness, resolves to install him as heir-apparent.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Public-spirited virtue: acting for the subjects’ good (prakṛtīnāṃ hita) and truth-aligned courage (satya-parākrama).