Valmiki Ramayana 2.2.22: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 2, Shloka 22

यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः

Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent

Addressed to King DaśarathaSetting: Ayodhyā

Devanagari script

इच्छामो हि महाबाहुं रघुवीरं महाबलम् ।

गजेन महताऽयान्तं रामं छत्रावृताननम् ॥२२॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.2.22

Transliteration

icchāmo hi mahā-bāhuṃ raghu-vīraṃ mahā-balam |

gajena mahatā yāntaṃ rāmaṃ chatrāvṛtānanaṃ ||22||

Translation

Sesungguhnya kami rindu untuk menatap Rāma—wira keturunan Raghu yang berlengan perkasa, maha kuat—datang menaiki gajah besar, wajahnya terlindung di bawah payung diraja.

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Word by Word

• इति: thus
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरणार्थक अव्यय
• Role: Sambandha (वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)

• तत्: that
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (of vacanam)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• वचनम्: speech/words
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• Type: Verb
• Root: √श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive)
• Role: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)

• राजा: the king
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• तेषाम्: of them
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)

• मनःप्रियम्: pleasing to the mind
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनस् + प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: मनसः प्रियम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (of vacanam implied/that act)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• अजानन्: not knowing
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ज्ञा (धातु) with न-प्रत्यय (neg.)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ) ‘जानत्’ with privative a-; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; qualifying rājā
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• इव: as if
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमावाचक अव्यय
• Role: Upamana (उपमान-सूचक)

• जिज्ञासुः: wishing to ascertain
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: इच्छार्थक कृदन्त (सन्-प्रत्यय/Desiderative base jिज्ञास्) + उ-प्रत्यय; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘desirous to know’
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• इदम्: this
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (of vacanam)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• वचनम्: statement
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• अब्रवीत्: said
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया)

Sandhi Notes

• तद्वचनं = तत् वचनम्
• जिज्ञासुरिदं = जिज्ञासुः इदम्
• वचनमब्रवीत् = वचनम् अब्रवीत्

Context

We cherish to see the mighty-armed hero among the Raghus, Rama, riding on a majestic elephant, his countenance shadowed by the royal parasol.

The teaching

Public longing for a dharmic heir reflects the ideal that kingship is validated by virtue and the people’s welfare, not mere power.

Ethical theme

Rājadharma

Devotion and practice

Smaraṇa of Rāma’s kṣātra-tejas and dharmic majesty; cultivates श्रद्धा in righteous leadership and inner nobility.

Deity praised

Rāma

Form of praise

Vandana (salutation)

Mood and themes

Rasa

Vira (heroism), with Adbhuta (wonder)

Mood

Anticipatory, regal, admiring

Themes

• Dharma
• Kingship
• Royal symbolism
• Itihāsa
• Public aspiration

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Raghu (dynastic reference)
• gaja (royal elephant)
• chatra (royal parasol)

FAQs

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

The verse links righteous rule with public legitimacy: the people’s desire to witness the heir’s royal insignia reflects dharma as social order upheld through recognized, ceremonial affirmation of authority.

What is the narrative situation?

The assembly expresses eagerness to see the public signs of Rāma’s elevation—an auspicious, visible confirmation of succession.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s heroic stature and strength (mahābāhu, mahābala), presented as qualities suited to protecting and sustaining dharmic governance.