Valmiki Ramayana 2.1.34 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 34

गुणप्रशंसा–युवराजनिर्णयः

Praise of Rama’s Virtues and the Decision on the Heir-Apparent

Devanagari script

एतैस्तु बहुभिर्युक्तं गुणैरनुपमैस्सुतम्।।।।दृष्ट्वा दशरथो राजा चक्रे चिन्तां परन्तपः।

Transliteration

etais tu bahubhir yuktaṃ guṇair anupamaiḥ sutam | dṛṣṭvā daśaratho rājā cakre cintāṃ parantapaḥ |

Translation

Voyant son fils pourvu de tant de vertus incomparables, le roi Daśaratha—dompteur des ennemis—se mit à méditer profondément.

Word by Word

• एतैः: by these
• एतैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन (demonstrative)

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अन्वय-अव्यय (but/indeed)

• बहुभिः: by many
• बहुभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• युक्तम्: endowed
• युक्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (PPP), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (agreeing with सुतम्)

• गुणैः: with qualities
• गुणैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• अनुपमैः: incomparable
• अनुपमैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनुपम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• सुतम्: son
• सुतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund)

• दशरथः: Daśaratha
• दशरथः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दशरथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• राजा: king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• चक्रे: made; formed
• चक्रे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• चिन्ताम्: thought; concern
• चिन्ताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चिन्ता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• परन्तपः: subduer of foes
• परन्तपः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परन्तप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (उपाधि/epithet)

Context

Observing his son endowed with such innumerable and incomparable virtues, king Dasaratha, subduer of enemies started thinking.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Rajadharma includes timely recognition of merit: a king must reflect on succession when a worthy heir is ready to protect dharma and the people.

What is the narrative situation?

The description of Rāma’s virtues leads to Daśaratha’s decision-making—his thoughts turn toward installing Rāma as king.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discernment in governance: Daśaratha’s reflective responsibility as a ruler and father.