Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 40
गुणप्रशंसा–युवराजनिर्णयः
Praise of Rama’s Virtues and the Decision on the Heir-Apparent
इत्येतैर्विविधैस्तैस्तैरन्यपार्थिवदुर्लभैः।।।।शिष्टैरपरिमेयैश्च लोके लोकोत्तरैर्गुणैः।तं समीक्ष्य महाराजो युक्तं समुदितैश्शुभैः।।।।निश्चित्य सचिवैस्सार्धं युवराजममन्यत।
ity etair vividhais tais tair anyapārthivadurlabhaiḥ | śiṣṭair aparimeyaiś ca loke lokottarair guṇaiḥ | taṃ samīkṣya mahārājo yuktaṃ samuditaiḥ śubhaiḥ | niścitya sacivaiḥ sārdhaṃ yuvarājam amanyata ||
Demikianlah, setelah menimbang bahwa ia dihiasi berbagai kebajikan mulia—terpuji, tak terhingga, sukar didapati pada raja-raja lain dan luar biasa di dunia—Maharaja, setelah memutuskan bersama para menterinya, menetapkannya sebagai Yuvarāja (putra mahkota).
King Dasaratha in consultation with his ministers observed that Rama is endowed with various virtues not found in other kings, immeasurable virtues which are praiseworthy, and exemplary. He is distinguished in this world as all qualities seem to have merged in him. The king then made up his mind to make him prince-regent.
FAQs
Rājadharma requires discerning merit and appointing a successor through counsel, not whim—virtue and public good guide the decision.
After evaluating Rāma’s exceptional qualities, Daśaratha consults ministers and decides to make him crown prince.
Rāma’s comprehensive excellence (guṇas) and Daśaratha’s adherence to consultative governance.