Valmiki Ramayana 2.2.19-20: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 2, Shlokas 19-20
यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः
Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent
Addressed to King DaśarathaSetting: Ayodhyā (royal audience hall)
तस्य धर्मार्थविदुषो भावमाज्ञाय सर्वशः ।
ब्राह्मणा जनमुख्याश्च पौरजानपदै स्सह ॥१९॥
समेत्य मन्त्रयित्वा तु समतागतबुद्धयः ।
ऊचुश्च मनसा ज्ञात्वा वृद्धं दशरथं नृपम् ॥२०॥
tasya dharmārtha-viduṣo bhāvam ājñāya sarvaśaḥ |
brāhmaṇā janamukhyāś ca paura-jānapadaiḥ saha ||19||
sametyā mantrayitvā tu samatāgata-buddhayaḥ |
ūcuś ca manasā jñātvā vṛddhaṃ daśarathaṃ nṛpam ||20||
Habiendo comprendido plenamente la intención de Daśaratha, experto en dharma y en el gobierno, se reunieron los brahmanes, los principales ciudadanos y la gente de la ciudad y del campo. Tras deliberar y llegar a una opinión unánime, se dirigieron al anciano rey Daśaratha con su conclusión bien meditada.
Sandhi Notes
- धर्मार्थविदुषो = धर्म + अर्थ + विदुषः
- पौरजानपदैस्सह = पौरजानपदैः सह (visarga→s before s)
- ऊचुश्च = ऊचुः च
- समतागतबुद्धयः as bahuvrīhi compound
Brahmins, kings and other prominent men, inhabitants of towns and villages having fully known the views of Dasaratha who was conversant with artha and dharma joined together and deliberated. They thought out well and having arrived at unanimity in their thinking thus addressed the aged king Dasaratha.
The teaching
Major transitions in power should be guided by consultation, unanimity, and the welfare of the realm, not private impulse.
- Ethical theme
- Rājadharma / succession ethics
For your practice
Supports sagha-bhāva: aligning oneşs view with dharma through counsel and inner settling before speech.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace), with Vira (heroism)
- Mood
- Resolved, respectful, purposeful
Themes
- Dharma
- Artha
- Rājadharma
- Consensus
- Itihāsa
- Ethics
- Public counsel
Samatā (evenness) of buddhi evokes equanimity as a prerequisite for right decision (karma-yoga ethos).
Kaṭha Upaniṣad: buddhi as charioteerwhen steady, it guides action safely; here collective buddhi guides the kingdom.
- Brahmanas and Dasharatha
- Ethical-ritual advisors presenting settled counsel (reverent)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.2.21 (explicit petition to anoint Rāma); Mahābhārata śānti Parva: counsel of elders on succession and stability
Dharmaśāstraic ideal: king consults brāhmaṇas and elders before major acts
Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa: repeated emphasis on Rāmaşs popularity and fitness
Anuṣṭubh
Solemn
Steady madhyama with clear caesura at mantrayitvā
FAQs
Dharma here is collective prudence in governance: public stakeholders deliberate, seek unanimity, and then speak responsibly to the king. Legitimate royal action is shown as aligned with counsel (mantra) and ethical-political wisdom (dharma + artha).
Key social and religious leaders, together with the wider populace, confer and decide what to request from Daśaratha—preparing to propose Rāma’s elevation as yuvarāja.
The assembly’s virtue of discernment and unity: careful thought, consultation, and consensus before advising the ruler.
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