Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.72: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 72

गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्

Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs

Devanagari script

अप्रमत्तो बले कोशे दुर्गे जनपदे तथा।भवेथा गुह राज्यं हि दुरारक्षतमं मतम्।।2.52.72।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.52.72

Transliteration

apramatto bale kośe durge janapade tathā | bhavethā guha rājyaṃ hi durārakṣatamaṃ matam || 2.52.72 ||

Translation

“ഗുഹേ, സൈന്യത്തിലും നിധികോശത്തിലും കോട്ടകളിലും ജനപദങ്ങളിലും അപ്രമാദിയായി ഇരിക്കണം; കാരണം രാജ്യം കാത്തുസൂക്ഷിക്കുക—എന്നാണ് പറയപ്പെടുന്നത്—അത്യന്തം ദുഷ്കരം.”

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Word by Word

• अप्रमत्तः: vigilant
• अप्रमत्तः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-प्रमत्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; नञ्-समास/उपसर्गयुक्त (negated): ‘not careless, vigilant’

• बले: in the army
• बले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• कोशे: in the treasury
• कोशे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• दुर्गे: in the fort
• दुर्गे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• जनपदे: in the countryside/provinces
• जनपदे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जनपद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (manner/also)

• भवेथाः: be (you should be)
• भवेथाः: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• गुह: O Guha
• गुह: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन

• राज्यम्: kingdom
• राज्यम्: Karma (कर्म/Topic-Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; अत्र विषय-निर्देश (topic)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थ (indeed/for)

• दुरारक्षतमम्: most difficult to guard
• दुरारक्षतमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर् (उपसर्ग) + रक्ष् (धातु) → दुरारक्षत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तमप्-प्रत्यय (superlative): ‘most difficult to protect’

• मतम्: is considered
• मतम्: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle) used adjectivally; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘considered/held (to be)’

Context

O Guha! you must be vigilant about your army, treasury, forts and provinces. A kingdom, it is (rightly) said, is protected with great difficulty.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Guha
• army (bala)
• treasury (kośa)
• kingdom (rājya)

FAQs

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

Rājadharma: a ruler’s duty is vigilant protection of the state’s pillars—defense, finance, fortifications, and the welfare/security of the people.

What is the narrative situation?

Before departing, Rāma offers Guha practical counsel on safeguarding his realm, emphasizing constant alertness.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Responsible leadership—Rāma models concern for orderly governance even amid personal hardship.