Shloka 23
The Vision of Rāma’s Royal Capital
and the Meeting at Nandigrāma
रामोऽपि चिंतयामास दृष्ट्वा वै तादृशं नृपम् । अहो दशरथस्यायं राजराजस्य धीमतः
rāmo'pi ciṃtayāmāsa dṛṣṭvā vai tādṛśaṃ nṛpam | aho daśarathasyāyaṃ rājarājasya dhīmataḥ
ಅಂತಹ ರಾಜನನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ರಾಮನೂ ಚಿಂತಿಸಿದನು—“ಅಹೋ! ಇದು ನಿಜಕ್ಕೂ ಧೀಮಂತ ರಾಜರಾಜ ದಶರಥನಿಗೆ ಯೋಗ್ಯವೇ.”
Narrator (third-person narration describing Rāma’s thoughts)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रामोऽपि = रामः + अपि; दशरथस्यायम् = दशरथस्य + अयम्
FAQs
It is third-person narration; the verse reports Rāma’s inner reflection after seeing a particular king.
Daśaratha is praised as dhīmat (wise, discerning) and as a preeminent ruler (“king of kings”), implying exemplary royal conduct and judgment.
The verse models thoughtful discernment: a righteous person evaluates leadership by its visible qualities and connects true kingship with wisdom and dharma rather than mere power.