Valmiki Ramayana 2.6.21: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 6, Shloka 21
रामाभिषेकपूर्वसज्जा · Preparations for Rama’s Coronation
Spoken by Citizens of AyodhyaSetting: Ayodhyā
अहो महात्मा राजाऽयमिक्ष्वाकुकुलनन्दनः ।
ज्ञात्वा यो वृद्धमात्मानं रामं राज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति ॥२१॥
aho mahātmā rājā 'yam ikṣvākukulanandanaḥ |
jñātvā yo vṛddham ātmānaṃ rāmaṃ rājyebhiṣekṣyati ||21||
अरे वाह! यह राजा कितना बड़ा आदमी है। इक्ष्वाकु ख़ानदान का सबसे प्यारा बेटा है। अब ख़ुद को बूढ़ा समझ के, राम को राज्य दे के राजा बना देगा।
Sandhi Notes
- सर्वेप्य = सर्वे + अपि
- अनुगृहीता स्मः—पाठे ‘स्मो’ इति (स्मः) संधिरूपम्
- दृष्टलोकपरावरः = दृष्ट-लोक-परावरः (बहुव्रीहि)
Oh! having realised that he himself has grown old the high-souled king Dasaratha the veritable delight to the Ikshvaku race, is going to coronate Rama in the kingdom.
The teaching
A ruler mindful of time and mortality upholds rājadharma by installing the worthy successor, ensuring stability for subjects.
- Ethical theme
- Rājadharma / succession ethics
Devotion and practice
Cultivates reverence for dharmic leadership and acceptance of impermanence; supports contemplation on right succession and humility.
- Form of praise
- Vandana (salutation)
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder), with Vira (heroism)
- Mood
- Exultant, anticipatory, reverent
Themes
- Dharma
- Rajadharma
- Succession
- Satya
- Itihasa
Renunciation of personal claim (ahaṃkāra-tyāga) in favor of rightful order; the king recognizes impermanence (jarā) and transfers agency to the fit instrument.
Sense of anitya (impermanence) and the wise turning from personal possession toward dharma; echoes the Upaniṣadic motif of handing over responsibility to the worthy (guru-to-śiṣya transmission analogy).
- Dasharatha and Rama
- Father consecrating son as heir-apparent (affectionate-proud)
- Dasharatha and Ikṣvāku lineage
- Dynastic steward/standard-bearer (reverential)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.6 (Ayodhyākāṇḍa: citizens’ praise of Rāma); Rāmacaritamānasa, Ayodhyākāṇḍa (public joy at Rāma’s abhiṣeka)
Vedic rājābhiṣeka motifs (rājasūya/abhiṣeka imagery broadly)
1.5 (Rāma’s qualities establishing fitness to rule); 2.2-2.4 (Daśaratha’s resolve for abhiṣeka)
Anuṣṭubh
Joyful
Madhyama-grāma, udatta emphasis on "aho" and "mahātmā"
FAQs
Rajadharma of timely succession: a ruler must place the kingdom’s long-term welfare above personal attachment to power.
Citizens discuss Daśaratha’s decision to install Rāma as heir-apparent, interpreting it as wise and timely.
Daśaratha’s prudence and responsibility—recognizing age and ensuring continuity of righteous rule.
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