Shloka 6
Sāvitrī’s Report and Nārada’s Prognosis (सावित्र्याख्यान—सत्यवान्-गुणवर्णनं तथा अल्पायुषः पूर्वसूचना)
ज्येष्ठो रामो5भवत् तेषां रमयामास हि प्रजा: । मनोहरतया धीमान् पितुर्दयनन्दन:
jyeṣṭho rāmo 'bhavat teṣāṃ ramayāmāsa hi prajāḥ | manoharatayā dhīmān pitur dayānandanaḥ ||
Mārkaṇḍeya berkata: “Dari keempat putra itu, Rāma adalah yang sulung dan bijaksana. Dengan rupa yang menawan dan budi pekerti yang luhur, ia menggembirakan seluruh rakyat; dan bagi ayahnya pun ia menjadi sumber sukacita yang menambah kasih dan ketenteraman.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s excellence is measured not only by birth order or power but by character: wisdom, charm tempered by good conduct, and the ability to bring joy and confidence to both the subjects and one’s elders. The verse highlights the ethical ideal of leadership that pleases the people through virtue rather than fear.
Mārkaṇḍeya is describing Rāma among the four royal brothers, emphasizing that Rāma, as the eldest, was beloved by the populace and also dear to his father—setting the stage for Rāma’s reputation as an exemplary prince.