Valmiki Ramayana 2.2.54 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 2, Shloka 54

यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः

Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent

Devanagari script

तं देव देवोपममात्मजं तेसर्वस्य लोकस्य हिते निविष्टम्।हिताय नः क्षिप्रमुदारजुष्टंमुदाऽभषेक्तुं वरद त्वमर्हसि।।2.2.54।।

Transliteration

taṃ deva devopamam ātmajaṃ te sarvasya lokasya hite niviṣṭam | hitāya naḥ kṣipram udārajuṣṭaṃ mudā ’bhiṣektuṃ varada tvam arhasi || 2.2.54 ||

Translation

ವರದಾತನೇ! ದೇವೋಪಮನಾದ ನಿನ್ನ ಪುತ್ರನು—ಸಕಲ ಲೋಕಹಿತದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರತನಾಗಿ ಉದಾರಗುಣಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ರತನಾಗಿರುವವನು—ನಮ್ಮ ಹಿತಾರ್ಥಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಸಂತೋಷದಿಂದಲೂ ವಿಳಂಬವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಯುವರಾಜನಾಗಿ ಅಭಿಷೇಕಿಸಲ್ಪಡಲು ನೀನು ಯೋಗ್ಯನು.

Word by Word

• तेषाम्: of them
• तेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Genitive, Plural

• अञ्जलिपद्मानि: lotus-like folded palms
• अञ्जलिपद्मानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: añjali + padma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural; object of 'प्रतिगृह्य'

• प्रगृहीतानि: held out
• प्रगृहीतानि: Karma-anvaya (कर्मणि विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra-√grah (ग्रह् धातु) + pragṛhīta (कृदन्त; क्त)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural; agrees with 'अञ्जलिपद्मानि'

• सर्वशः: in every way
• सर्वशः: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sarvaśas (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb (प्रकारवाचक)

• प्रतिगृह्य: having received
• प्रतिगृह्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati-√grah (ग्रह् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्)

• अब्रवीत्: spoke
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √brū (ब्रू धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• तेभ्यः: to them
• तेभ्यः: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Plural

• प्रियहितम्: pleasing and beneficial
• प्रियहितम्: Karma-anvaya (कर्मणि विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: priya + hita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; agrees with 'वचः'

• वचः: words
• वचः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; object of 'अब्रवीत्'

Context

Following the path of my forefathers I protected the people to the best of my ability by being ever vigilant.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Rāma
• abhiṣeka (consecration)
• loka (world)

FAQs

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

Dharma as timely, rightful succession: installing a universally beneficial, noble heir preserves social order and protects truth-centered governance.

What is the narrative situation?

The people formally urge Daśaratha to perform Rama’s abhiṣeka as yuvarāja, emphasizing Rama’s commitment to universal welfare.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Udāratā (nobility/generosity) and loka-hita-niṣṭhā (steadfast dedication to the world’s welfare), presented as the hallmark of Rama’s fitness to rule.