Valmiki Ramayana 2.2.5: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 2, Shloka 5

यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः

Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent

Spoken by DasharathaSetting: Ayodhyā

Devanagari script

सोऽहमिक्ष्वाकुभि स्सर्वैर्नरेन्द्रैः परिपालितम् ।

श्रेयसा योक्तुकामोऽस्मि सुखार्हमखिलं जगत् ॥५॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.2.5

Transliteration

so ’ham ikṣvākubhiḥ sarvair narendraiḥ paripālitam |

śreyasā yoktukāmo ’smi sukhārham akhilaṃ jagat ||5||

Translation

ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າປາດຖະນາຈະສ້າງຄວາມສະຫວັດດີແກ່ໂລກທັງປວງ—ອັນຄວນແກ່ຄວາມສຸກ—ທີ່ບັນດາພະຣາຊາແຫ່ງວົງສາອິກສະວາກຸໄດ້ອະພິບານຮັກສາມາດົນນານ.

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Word by Word

• मया: by me
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Kartr-karana (कर्ता-करण)

• अपि: also
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, particle (समुच्चय/अपि 'also')
• Role: Avyaya (अव्यय-प्रयोग)

• आचरितम्: practised / trodden
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā-car (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: PPP (क्त) from ā-√car; Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies पन्थानम्
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• पूर्वैः: by the predecessors
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūrva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)
• Role: Karana (करण)

• पन्थानम्: path
• Type: Noun
• Root: panthāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• अनुगच्छता: while following
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu-gam (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग); agrees with मया; 'while following'
• Role: Kartr-karana (कर्ता-करण)

• प्रजाः: subjects
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• नित्यम्: always
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nityam (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb of time
• Role: Avyaya (अव्यय-प्रयोग)

• अनिद्रेण: with sleepless vigilance
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anidra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); used adverbially 'with vigilance'
• Role: Karana (करण)

• यथाशक्ति: to the best of (my) ability
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā-śakti (अव्यय-समास)
• Form: Avyayībhāva: yathā + śakti; indeclinable adverb meaning 'according to ability'
• Role: Avyaya (अव्यय-प्रयोग)
• Compound: Avyayibhava

• अभिरक्षिताः: were protected
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhi-rakṣ (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: PPP (क्त) from abhi-√rakṣ; Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); agrees with प्रजाः
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया-भाव)

Sandhi Notes

• मयाप्याचरितं → मया + अपि + आचरितम्
• पन्थानमनुगच्छता → पन्थानम् + अनुगच्छता
• यथाशक्त्यभिरक्षिताः → यथाशक्ति + अभिरक्षिताः

Context

I desire to accomplish the welfare of this entire world which deserves the happiness brought about by the rule of all the Ikshvaku kings.

The teaching

A king frames his legitimacy as continuity of a righteous lineage and as commitment to universal welfare, not personal gain.

Ethical theme

Rājadharma / public duty

For your practice

Contemplation on seva-bhāva and stewardship: aligning one’s role with the welfare of the whole.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Shanta (peace), with Vira (heroism)

Mood

Responsible, paternal, composed

Themes

• Dharma
• Rajadharma
• Welfare of subjects
• Itihasa
• Ethics

Symbolism

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Ikṣvāku dynasty
• jagat (the world)

FAQs

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

Rājadharma: the king’s duty is to pursue śreyas (true welfare) for the whole realm, ensuring the people’s happiness as a moral responsibility, not merely political success.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha reflects on the Ikṣvāku tradition of righteous rule and expresses his intention to act for the world’s welfare—foreshadowing the decision to install Rama as heir-apparent.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s sense of duty and public-mindedness—placing the common good (śreyas of the world) above personal comfort.