Valmiki Ramayana 2.2.8: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 2, Shloka 8

यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः

Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent

Spoken by King DaśarathaSetting: अयोध्या (palace context implied)

Devanagari script

प्राप्य वर्षसहस्राणि बहून्यायूंषि जीवतः ।

जीर्णस्यास्य शरीरस्य विश्रान्तिमभिरोचये ॥८॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.2.8

Transliteration

prāpya varṣa-sahasrāṇi bahūny āyūṃṣi jīvataḥ |

jīrṇasyāsya śarīrasya viśrāntim abhirocaye ||8||

Translation

मैं हज़ारों साल जी चुका हूँ। बहुत उम्र बीत गई। अब यह शरीर थक गया है। मुझे अब रेस्ट चाहिए। बस आराम करना है अब।

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Word by Word

• prāpya: having attained
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prā-āp (प्र + आप् धातु) + lyap (ल्यप्)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यपन्त अव्ययीभाव-प्रयोग), indeclinable; 'having attained'
• Role: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)

• varṣa-sahasrāṇi: thousands of years
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + sahasra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन); ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa sense: 'thousands of years'
• Role: Karma (कर्म) of prāpya
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• bahūni: many
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन); qualifying āyūṃṣi
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)

• āyūṃṣi: lifespans/years of life
• Type: Noun
• Root: āyus (आयुस् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन)
• Role: Karma (कर्म) of prāpya (co-ordinate with varṣasahasrāṇi)

• jīvataḥ: while living
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jīv (जीव् धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ)
• Form: Present active participle (वर्तमानकाले शतृ-कृदन्त), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन); used adverbially: 'while living'
• Role: Kāla/avasthā (काल/अवस्था)

• jīrṇasya: of the worn-out
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jṝ (जॄ धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त-कृदन्त) used adjectivally; Masculine/Neuter Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying śarīrasya
• Role: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (qualifier)

• asya: of this
• Type: Adjective
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन); demonstrative pronoun qualifying śarīrasya
• Role: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)

• śarīrasya: of the body
• Type: Noun
• Root: śarīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (possessor)

• viśrāntim: rest
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśrānti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Karma (कर्म) of abhirocaye

• abhirocaye: I desire/approve
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-ruc (अभि + रुच् धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), First person (उत्तमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

Sandhi Notes

• bahūnyāyūṃṣi → bahūni āyūṃṣi
• jīrṇasyāsya → jīrṇasya asya
• viśrāntimabhirocaye → viśrāntim abhirocaye

Context

Having lived for thousands of years this body is now worn out due to old age and therefore I want rest.

The teaching

Recognizing bodily limits is not weakness but discernment; dharma is preserved by timely transfer of responsibility to the qualified.

Duties in tension

• Rāja-dharma (continuing active governance)
• Svadharma of life-stage/physical limitation (seeking rest; preparing succession)

Ethical theme

Āśrama-dharma / prudent governance

How it resolves

Delegation/succession (installing heir to sustain dharma)

For your practice

Contemplation on impermanence supports vairāgya and mindful pacing of duties; suitable for japa with themes of śānti and acceptance.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Shanta (peace), with Karuna (compassion)

Mood

Weary, reflective, renunciant

Themes

• Dharma
• Rajadharma
• Vairagya
• Aging
• Renunciation
• Satya

Symbolism

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

The verse expresses responsible kingship: recognizing one’s declining capacity and seeking rest so that governance (rajadharma) may be carried on effectively by a fitter successor.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha reflects on his advanced age and bodily exhaustion while preparing to transfer royal responsibility—setting the stage for Rāma’s intended installation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence and humility: Daśaratha acknowledges human limitation and prioritizes the kingdom’s welfare over personal attachment to power.