Shloka 4.4.6

हनूमद्-दूत्यम् / Hanuman’s Mediation and Lakshmana’s Appeal to Sugriva

Devanagari script

राजा दशरथो नाम द्युतिमान्धर्मवत्सलः।चातुर्वर्ण्यं स्वधर्मेण नित्यमेवाभ्यपालयत्4.4.6।।

Transliteration

rājā daśaratho nāma dyutimān dharmavatsalaḥ | cāturvarṇyaṃ svadharmeṇa nityam evābhyapālayat ||

Translation

There was a king named Daśaratha—radiant and devoted to dharma—who ever protected the four social orders by faithfully upholding his royal duty.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Cāturvarṇya (four social orders)

FAQs

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

Rājadharma: a ruler’s duty is to protect social order through consistent adherence to lawful responsibility, not personal whim.

What is the narrative situation?

Lakṣmaṇa begins with Rāma’s lineage, describing Daśaratha’s righteous kingship to establish credibility and virtue.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s dharma-centered governance and steady protection of society.