Valmiki Ramayana 2.1.3: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 3
गुणप्रशंसा-युवराजनिर्णयः
Praise of Rama’s Virtues and the Decision on the Heir-Apparent
Setting: Chitrakuta region (implied early exile residence)Places named: Ayodhyā (implied via Daśaratha), Citrakūṭa (implied by context of residence)Settled phase after departure from Ayodhyā
तत्रापि निवसन्तौ तौ तर्प्यमाणौ च कामतः ।
भ्रातरौ स्मरतां वीरौ वृद्धं दशरथं नृपम् ॥३॥
tatrāpi nivasantau tau tarpyamāṇau ca kāmataḥ |
bhrātarau smaratāṃ vīrau vṛddhaṃ daśarathaṃ nṛpam ||3||
वो दोनों भाई वही रहते थे। खुश थे, जो चाहते थे वो मिल रहा था। इतने में भी वो अपने बूढ़े पिता दशरथ को याद करते थे। वो दोनों बहुत वीर थे।
Sandhi Notes
- tatrāpi = tatra + api (a + a → ā)
Though both the heroic brothers stayed there satisfied on their own they constantly remembered their aged father.
The teaching
Even when duty leads away, the heart remains responsible: remembrance of elders is part of dharma, held alongside steadfastness to one’s vow.
Duties in tension
- Obedience to exile vow and royal command
- Filial duty to care for aged father emotionally/physically
- Ethical theme
- Family duty vs vow (pitṛ-dharma and satya)
- How it resolves
- Endurance/acceptance
For your practice
Smaraṇa as practice: hold loved ones with compassion while staying steady in chosen dharma; transforms separation into mindful responsibility.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Karuna (compassion), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Homesick, dutiful, softened
Themes
- Dharma
- Satya
- Filial duty
- Family ethics
- Itihasa
Non-attachment does not negate compassion; remembrance arises without collapsing into indulgent grief—an integration of vairāgya and karuṇā.
Pitṛ motif: reverence to father as a living locus of dharma; echoes of honoring elders as a sacred duty (pitṛ-yajña ethos).
- Rama and Lakshmana
- Brothers in shared exile/sojourn (affectionate)
- Rama and Dasharatha
- Son remembering aged father (tender-sorrowful)
- Lakshmana and Dasharatha
- Son remembering aged father (tender-sorrowful)
Rāmacaritamānasa Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa: Rāma’s remembrance and concern for Daśaratha; Mahābhārata: exile narratives where sons remember elders (Pāṇḍava vanavāsa passages)
Pitṛ-dharma and śrāddha culture (implicit reverence to father)
Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa: Daśaratha’s grief and death; later recollections by Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa
Anuṣṭup (śloka)
Grieving
Manda-gati, gentle descent on 'vṛddhaṃ daśarathaṃ'
FAQs
Filial dharma: even in comfort, one remains mindful of duty and affection toward parents, especially an aged father.
The narration notes the brothers’ inner state: despite being satisfied where they are, their thoughts return to Daśaratha.
Gratitude and familial loyalty—steady remembrance and concern for their father.
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