Valmiki Ramayana 2.2.12 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 2, Shloka 12

यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः

Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent

Devanagari script

तं चन्द्रमिव पुष्येण युक्तं धर्मभृतां वरम्।यौवराज्ये नियोक्ताऽस्मि प्रीतः पुरुषपुङ्गवम्।।2.2.12।।

Transliteration

taṃ candram iva puṣyeṇa yuktaṃ dharma-bhṛtāṃ varam | yauvarājye niyoktā 'smi prītaḥ puruṣa-puṅgavam || 2.2.12 ||

Translation

धर्मधारकांमध्ये श्रेष्ठ, पुरुषांमध्ये अग्रगण्य—पुष्य नक्षत्रयुक्त चंद्राप्रमाणे तेजस्वी—त्याला मी प्रसन्न होऊन युवराजपदी नेमू इच्छितो।

Word by Word

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म) of niyoktā asmi
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (तद् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• candram: the moon
• candram: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: candra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle of comparison (उपमा-निपात)

• puṣyeṇa: with (the star) Puṣya
• puṣyeṇa: Sahakāraka/Karaṇa (सहकारक/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन); nakṣatra-name

• yuktam: joined/associated
• yuktam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yuj (युज् धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त-कृदन्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying tam

• dharma-bhṛtām: of the righteous upholders
• dharma-bhṛtām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (group)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + bhṛt (√bhṛ + क्त/कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन); tatpuruṣa: 'of the upholders of dharma'

• varam: the best
• varam: Karma (कर्म) (appositional)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); in apposition to tam

• yauvarājye: in the heir-apparency (as prince regent)
• yauvarājye: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yauvarājya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)

• niyoktā: (I am) to appoint
• niyoktā: Karta (कर्ता) (with asmi)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-yuj (नि + युज् धातु) + tṛc (तृच्)
• Form: Agent noun (कर्तृवाचक तृच्-प्रत्यय), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); used periphrastically with asmi = 'I am going to appoint'

• asmi: I am
• asmi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (अस् धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), First person (उत्तमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• prītaḥ: pleased
• prītaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (predicate of 'I')
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prī (प्री धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त-कृदन्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying speaker (aham)

• puruṣa-puṅgavam: the foremost of men
• puruṣa-puṅgavam: Karma (कर्म) (apposition to tam)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + puṅgava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: 'foremost among men'

Context

I propose to install him (Rama), foremost among upholders of righteousness and the best of men who resembles the Moon in brightness when in conjunction with Pushya star, as heir-apparent to the throne.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Rāma
• Puṣya (nakṣatra)

FAQs

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

The ideal ruler is defined as dharma-bhṛt—one who sustains righteousness; political authority is framed as a moral trust.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha announces his intention to make Rāma the Yuvarāja, emphasizing both virtue and auspicious timing.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s dharmic excellence and exemplary stature among men.