Valmiki Ramayana 2.86.6: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 86, Shloka 6
लक्ष्मणगुणवर्णनम् · Lakshmana’s Vigil and Guha’s Testimony
Spoken by Guha to BharataSetting: Śṛṅgiverapura on the Gaṅgā bankPlaces named: Śṛṅgiverapura, GaṅgāHalt during exile journey; alliance formation
अस्य प्रसादादाशंसे लोकेऽस्मिन् सुमहद्यशः ।
धर्मावाप्तिं च विपुलामर्थकामौ च केवलम् ॥६॥
asya prasādād āśaṃse loke 'smin sumahad yaśaḥ |
dharmāvāptiṃ ca vipulām arthakāmau ca kevalam ||6||
Dengan rahmat perkenannya, aku berharap memperoleh kemasyhuran yang agung di dunia ini; juga pencapaian dharma yang luas, serta artha dan kāma dalam kepenuhan.
Sandhi Notes
- प्रसादादाशंसे = प्रसादात् + आशंसे (त् + आ → दा)
- लोकेऽस्मिन् = लोके + अस्मिन् (ए + अ → एऽ)
- सुमहद्यशः = सुमहत् + यशः (त् + य् → द्य्)
- धर्मावाप्तिम् = धर्म + अवाप्तिम् (अ + अ → आ)
By the grace of Rama, I want to acquire in this world great renown, abundance of righteousness, absolute artha (prosperity) and kama (pleasure).
The teaching
Association with the dhārmika is itself a source of kīrti and right attainment; puruṣārthas bear fruit when rooted in dharma.
- Ethical theme
- Sat-saṅga / puruṣārtha-nīti
Devotion and practice
Frames grace (prasāda) as the engine of auspicious outcomes; encourages gratitude and service to the righteous.
- Deity praised
- Rāma (as bestower of prasāda)
- Form of praise
- Stuti (a hymn of praise)
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Hopeful, uplifted, confident
Themes
- Dharma
- Satya
- Purusharthas
- Devotion
- Ethics
- Itihasa
Sat-saṅga as a catalyst for inner and outer auspiciousness; ‘prasāda’ hints at clarity and grace that follows contact with the sattvic.
The notion that right knowledge/association leads to ‘śreyas’ (the good) parallels Upaniṣadic valuation of śreyas over preyas, though here framed as worldly and dharmic gains.
- Guha and Rama
- Seeking blessings/prasāda from the righteous; patronage of virtue (reverent)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 1.1 (Rāma as dharmātman—source of kīrti); Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.52 (Guha’s devotion and service)
Puruṣārtha framework in Dharmaśāstra and Itihāsa tradition
Ayodhyākāṇḍa: repeated epithet ‘dharmātmā’ for Rāma; kīrti accruing to those who aid him
Anuṣṭup (Śloka)
Narrative
Even, declarative svara; slight emphasis on ‘dharma’ as the first puruṣārtha
FAQs
Dharma is presented as the highest gain, and even worldly aims (artha, kāma) are framed as rightly pursued under the influence of a righteous person’s grace.
Guha explains his reverence for Rāma and why serving him is spiritually and socially uplifting.
Guha’s dharma-oriented worldview: he values fame and prosperity only as outcomes rooted in righteous association and service.
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