Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 3

श्रीमद्रामायणकथासङ्क्षेपः / The Ramayana in Synopsis

Narada’s Summary to Valmiki

Devanagari script

चारित्रेण च को युक्तस्सर्वभूतेषु को हित: ।विद्वान्क: कस्समर्थश्च कश्चैकप्रियदर्शन: ।।।।

Transliteration

cāritreṇa ca ko yuktas sarvabhūteṣu ko hitaḥ |

vidvān kaḥ kas samarthaś ca kaś caika-priyadarśanaḥ ||

Translation

Qui est celui qui possède une conduite noble, qui veut le bien de tous les êtres ; qui est vraiment savant et capable, et dont la vue est chère à tous ?

Word by Word

• चारित्रेण: by good conduct/character
• चारित्रेण: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चारित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunctive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• कः: who?
• कः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• युक्तः: endowed/connected
• युक्तः: कर्तृसम्बन्धी विशेषण (Adjectival to subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि/भूतकृत् (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (adjectival)

• सर्वभूतेषु: among/in all beings
• सर्वभूतेषु: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location-sphere)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (determinative: 'all beings'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• कः: who?
• कः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• हितः: beneficial/well-wishing
• हितः: कर्तृसम्बन्धी विशेषण (Adjectival to subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (adjectival)

• विद्वान्: learned/wise
• विद्वान्: कर्तृसम्बन्धी विशेषण (Adjectival to subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विद्वस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (adjectival)

• कः: who?
• कः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• कः: who?
• कः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• समर्थः: capable/competent
• समर्थः: कर्तृसम्बन्धी विशेषण (Adjectival to subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (adjectival)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunctive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• कः: who?
• कः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunctive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• एकप्रियदर्शनः: of universally pleasing appearance
• एकप्रियदर्शनः: कर्तृसम्बन्धी विशेषण (Adjectival to subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक + प्रिय + दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (determinative: 'having appearance that is dear/pleasing'); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (adjectival)

Context

Who is that one gifted with good conduct, given to the wellbeing of all living creatures, learned in the lore (knowledge of all things that is known), capable of doing things which others can not do and singularly handsome?

Characters & Entities

• Vālmīki
• Nārada

FAQs

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

Dharma is defined through universal benevolence and integrity of character: the ideal person benefits all beings, unites learning with capability, and embodies goodness inwardly and outwardly.

What is the narrative situation?

At the very opening, Vālmīki asks Nārada to identify a single exemplary person who embodies the highest virtues—setting up Rāma as the answer.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

A composite ideal: good conduct, compassion for all beings, wisdom, competence, and a pleasing, non-threatening presence.