Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 100, Shloka 8

शततमः सर्गः — Rāma Questions Bharata on Rājadharma

Governance, Counsel, and Public Welfare

Devanagari script

कच्चिद्धशरथो राजा कुशली सत्यसंङ्गरः।राजसूयाश्वमेधानामाहर्ता धर्मनिश्चयः।।।।

Transliteration

kaccid daśaratho rājā kuśalī satyasaṅgaraḥ | rājasūyāśvamedhānām āhartā dharmaniścayaḥ ||

Translation

क्या राजा दशरथ कुशल से हैं—सत्यप्रतिज्ञ, राजसूय और अश्वमेध यज्ञों के अनुष्ठाता, तथा धर्म-निश्चय में दृढ़?

Word by Word

• कच्चित्: I hope
• कच्चित्: निपात (particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कच्चित् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रश्न-निपात

• दशरथः: Dasharatha
• दशरथः: कर्ता (Kartā/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दशरथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• राजा: king
• राजा: कर्ता (Kartā/subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'दशरथः' इति अप्पोजिशन

• कुशली: well/healthy
• कुशली: कर्ता-विशेषण (subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुशलिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'राजा' इति विशेषण

• सत्यसङ्गरः: true to his pledge
• सत्यसङ्गरः: कर्ता-विशेषण (subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्य + सङ्गर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: सत्यः सङ्गरः (true in battle/true to pledge)

• राजसूयाश्वमेधानाम्: of the Rājasūya and Aśvamedha (sacrifices)
• राजसूयाश्वमेधानाम्: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजसूय + अश्वमेध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास (itaretara): राजसूय-च अश्वमेध-च; 'आहर्ता' इति सम्बन्ध

• आहर्ता: performer
• आहर्ता: कर्ता (Kartā/appositional agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आ-हृ (धातु)
• Form: तृच् (agent noun), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'performer/bringer'

• धर्मनिश्चयः: firm in righteousness
• धर्मनिश्चयः: कर्ता-विशेषण (subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म + निश्चय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: धर्मस्य निश्चयः (firm in righteousness)

Context

I trust king Dasaratha, who is true to his promise, a performer of Rajasuya and Ashwamedha sacrifices and a firm adherent of righteousness is in good health.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Aśvamedha
• Dharma
• Satya

FAQs

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

A king’s legitimacy rests on satya (keeping vows) and dharma (righteous resolve), supported by sacred duties and public responsibility.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma begins a series of inquiries to Bharata about the welfare and dharmic standing of elders and institutions in Ayodhyā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthfulness and steadfastness in duty as royal virtues.