Valmiki Ramayana 1.21.7 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 7

बालकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः

Daśaratha’s Promise, Vasiṣṭha’s Counsel, and Viśvāmitra’s Weapon-Lore

Devanagari script

त्रिषु लोकेषु विख्यातो धर्मात्मा इति राघव।स्वधर्मं प्रतिपद्यस्व नाधर्मं वोढुमर्हसि।।।।

Transliteration

triṣu lokeṣu vikhyāto dharmātmā iti rāghava |

svadharmaṃ pratipadyasva nādharmaṃ voḍhum arhasi ||

Translation

ഹേ രാഘവ, നീ മൂന്നു ലോകങ്ങളിലും ‘ധർമ്മാത്മാവ്’ എന്നായി വിഖ്യാതനാണ്. സ്വധർമ്മത്തിൽ ഉറച്ചുനിൽക്കുക; അധർമ്മം വഹിക്കുകയോ ആശ്രയിക്കുകയോ നിനക്കു യുക്തമല്ല.

Word by Word

• त्रिषु: in three
• त्रिषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: त्रिलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; संख्याविशेषणम्

• लोकेषु: worlds
• लोकेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• विख्यातः: renowned
• विख्यातः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि+ख्या (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'renowned'

• धर्मात्मा: righteous-souled
• धर्मात्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म-आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीह्यर्थे विशेषणवत् (one whose nature is dharma)

• इति: thus/so (called)
• इति: Sambandha (उद्धरण-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; इत्यादि-उद्धरण/वाक्यसमाप्तिसूचक

• राघव: O Rāghava
• राघव: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राघव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• स्वधर्मम्: your own duty
• स्वधर्मम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व-धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रतिपद्यस्व: undertake/observe
• प्रतिपद्यस्व: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति+पद् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपदम्

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध

• अधर्मम्: unrighteousness
• अधर्मम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वोढुम्: to bear/endure
• वोढुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/तुमर्थ)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वह् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive); 'to bear/endure'

• अर्हसि: you ought/are fit
• अर्हसि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्ह् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Context

O Dasaratha! you are reputed in the three worlds as righteous-minded. Do your ownduty. Do not follow an unjust act which is unworthy of respect.

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Daśaratha (Rāghava)
• dharma
• adharma

FAQs

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

A ruler must uphold svadharma—his rightful duty and moral order—and must not compromise with adharma even under pressure.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha hesitates to send young Rāma with Viśvāmitra; Vasiṣṭha reminds him of his reputation for righteousness and urges him to act according to dharma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s expected virtue is dhārmikatā (righteous integrity): aligning action with duty and public moral responsibility.