Valmiki Ramayana 2.1.29 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 29

गुणप्रशंसा–युवराजनिर्णयः

Praise of Rama’s Virtues and the Decision on the Heir-Apparent

Devanagari script

धनुर्वेदविदां श्रेष्ठो लोकेऽतिरथसम्मतः।अभियाता प्रहर्ता च सेनानयविशारदः।।।।

Transliteration

dhanurvedavidāṃ śreṣṭho loke ’tirathasammataḥ | abhiyātā prahartā ca senānayaviśāradaḥ ||

Translation

この世において彼はダヌルヴェーダ（弓術の学）を知る者の中で最上であり、至高の戦車武者たるアティラタと称えられた。敵に向かって進撃し、決然と打ち倒し、軍勢の指揮にも通暁していた。

Word by Word

• धनुः-वेद-विदाम्: of the knowers of archery-science
• धनुः-वेद-विदाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस् (प्रातिपदिक) + वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + विद् (धातु/प्रातिपदिक-आधार)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• श्रेष्ठः: best; excellent
• श्रेष्ठः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• लोके: in the world
• लोके: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• अतिरथ-सम्मतः: acknowledged as an atiratha (great chariot-warrior)
• अतिरथ-सम्मतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अतिरथ (प्रातिपदिक) + सम्मत (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अभियाता: assailant; one who advances (to attack)
• अभियाता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभि + या (धातु)
• Form: क्तृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (agent noun), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• प्रहर्ता: striker; slayer
• प्रहर्ता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्र + हृ (धातु)
• Form: क्तृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• सेना-नय-विशारदः: expert in leading armies
• सेना-नय-विशारदः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सेना (प्रातिपदिक) + नय (प्रातिपदिक) + विशारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Context

He was the best among those skilled in archery in this world. He was reckoned as a great wielder of war-chariots and one who strikes at the enemies by advancing towards them. He was an expert in commanding troops. (Atiratha is an excellent warrior who can manage his chariot, horses and the charioteer.)

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• dhanurveda
• army

FAQs

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

Kṣatriya-dharma requires disciplined martial excellence used for protection and just order—skill joined with responsibility in command.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma’s military qualifications are highlighted as part of the case for his fitness to rule.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Valor with competence: not only personal prowess, but also strategic leadership in directing troops.