Valmiki Ramayana 2.34.56: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 34, Shloka 56
रामदर्शनार्थं दारानयनम् · The Queens Summoned; Rama’s Leave
Taking and Dasaratha’s Collapse
Spoken by Rama to DasharathaSetting: Ayodhyā (royal context implied)Places named: māhī (the land/kingdom), mountain ranges (śaila-ṣaṇḍa), cities (pura), forests (kānana)
मया निसृष्टां भरतो महीमिमां सशैलषण्डां सपुरां सकाननाम् ।
शिवां सुसीमामनुशास्तु केवलं त्वया यदुक्तं नृपते तथास्तु तत् ॥५६॥
mayā nisṛṣṭāṃ bharato mahīm imāṃ saśailaṣaṇḍāṃ sapurāṃ sakānanām |
śivāṃ susīmām anuśāstu kevalaṃ tvayā yad uktaṃ nṛpate tathāstu tat ||56||
मैंने यह राज्य छोड़ दिया है। पहाड़ियाँ, शहर और जंगल सब इसमें हैं। भरत अकेले इसको संभाले। राजा, जो आपने कहा है वैसा ही हो। यह धरम के हिसाब से सही है।
Sandhi Notes
- Sandhi resolved: निसृष्टां भरतो → निसृष्टाम् भरतः
- महीमिमां → महीम् इमाम्
- सपुरां सकाननाम् → सपुराम् सकाननाम्
- सुसीमामनुशास्तु → सुसीमाम् अनुशास्तु
- केवलंत्वया → केवलम् त्वया
- यदुक्तं → यत् उक्तम्
- तथास्तु → तथा अस्तु
I am leaving behind, O king! this (auspicious) land with its well-laid boundaries, mountain ranges, cities and forests, which Bharata alone should rule. Let it happen the way you have said.
The teaching
Rulership is secondary to satya and the keeping of a righteous vow; dharma is safeguarded by relinquishment when necessary.
Duties in tension
- Personal right to kingship (artha/rajya) vs obedience to father’s command (pitṛ-dharma)
- Comfort of palace life vs duty-bound exile
- Ethical theme
- Satya-dharma / pitṛ-śuśrūṣā
- How it resolves
- Truth-and-obedience prioritized over sovereignty
For your practice
Practice of satya and niṣkāma-kartṛtva: fulfilling rightful instruction without clinging to power.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace), with Vira (heroism)
- Mood
- Resolute, composed, obedient
Themes
- Dharma
- Satya
- Political ethics
- Renunciation
- Order (ājñā)
Renunciation of external sovereignty for inner adherence to satya-dharma; preference of dharma over kāma/artha echoes vairāgya.
Satya as the axis of right action ("satyam vada") and the primacy of truth over worldly gain.
- Rama and Dasharatha
- Son affirming father-king's command (reverent)
- Rama and Bharata
- Elder brother entrusting sovereignty to younger brother (benevolent)
- Dasharatha and Bharata
- Father designating son as regent/king (dutiful)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.18 (Rāma’s resolve to uphold Daśaratha’s word); Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.20-2.23 (acceptance of exile; dharma over kingdom)
Mahābhārata: satya-vrata ideals (e.g., Harishchandra narratives in Purāṇic tradition)
Ayodhyākāṇḍa: repeated motif of 'pitṛ-vākya' as binding vow
Anuṣṭup (śloka)
Commanding
Madhyama-gati, niṣāda-nyāsa
FAQs
Honoring spoken commitments (satya) and ensuring orderly governance even while renouncing personal claim.
Rāma reiterates that Bharata should rule the realm and asks that Daśaratha’s declared decision be fulfilled.
Public-spirited renunciation and respect for legitimate authority.
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