Valmiki Ramayana 2.21.40 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 40

अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः

Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā

Devanagari script

धर्मो हि परमो लोके धर्मे सत्यं प्रतिष्ठितम्।धर्मसंश्रितमेतच्च पितुर्वचनमुत्तमम्।।2.21.40।।

Transliteration

dharmo hi paramo loke dharme satyaṃ pratiṣṭhitam |

dharmasaṃśritam etac ca pitur vacanam uttamam ||2.21.40||

Translation

धर्म हा या लोकी परम आहे; सत्य धर्मातच दृढ प्रतिष्ठित आहे। आणि माझ्या पित्याचे हे उत्तम वचनही धर्मावरच आधारलेले आहे।

Word by Word

• dharmaḥ: dharma
• dharmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतौ/निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• paramaḥ: supreme
• paramaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणं dharmaḥ प्रति

• loke: in the world
• loke: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• dharme: in dharma
• dharme: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• satyam: truth
• satyam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: satya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• pratiṣṭhitam: is established
• pratiṣṭhitam: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra+sthā (धातु)
• Form: प्रतिष्ठित (क्त) कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'established' (agreeing with satyam)

• dharmasaṃśritam: supported by dharma
• dharmasaṃśritam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma-saṃśrita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी/उपपद-तत्पुरुषभावः: 'resting on dharma' (saṃśrita = kta of saṃ+śri)

• etat: this
• etat: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• pituḥ: of father
• pituḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• vacanam: command/word
• vacanam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• uttamam: excellent
• uttamam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणं vacanam प्रति

Context

Righteousness alone is supreme in this world and truth is established in righteousness. This excellent command of our father is supported by righteousness.

Characters & Entities

• Dharma
• Satya (Truth)

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as the highest standard, and satya (truthfulness/keeping one’s word) is rooted in dharma. Obeying a righteous command—especially a father’s solemn word—is treated as a dharmic obligation.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma explains why he will accept forest exile: the father’s command must be upheld because dharma and truth are paramount.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s steadfast commitment to dharma and satya—his willingness to sacrifice personal gain to preserve moral order.