Valmiki Ramayana 2.2.1: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 2, Shloka 1

यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः

Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent

Setting: Ayodhy royal court

Devanagari script

ततः परिषदं सर्वामामन्त्र्य वसुधाधिपः ।

हितमुद्धर्षणं चैवमुवाच प्रथितं वचः ॥१॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.2.1

Transliteration

tataḥ pariṣadaṃ sarvām āmantrya vasudhādhipaḥ |

hitam uddharṣaṇaṃ caivam uvāca prathitaṃ vacaḥ ||1||

Translation

ତାପରେ ବସୁଧାଧିପ ଦଶରଥ ମହାରାଜ ସମଗ୍ର ପରିଷଦକୁ ଆହ୍ୱାନ କରି, ହିତକର ଓ ଉତ୍ସାହଜନକ ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ବଚନ ଏପରି କହିଲେ।

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Word by Word

• ततः: thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb
• Role: Avyaya (अव्यय-प्रयोग)

• परिषदम्: the assembly
• Type: Noun
• Root: pariṣad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• सर्वाम्: entire
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies परिषदम्
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• आमन्त्र्य: having invited
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-mantr (धातु) + lyap (ल्यप्)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्/क्त्वा-अर्थे), 'having invited/addressed'
• Role: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)

• वसुधाधिपः: lord of the earth (king)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vasudhā-adhipa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: vasudhāyāḥ adhipaḥ; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• हितम्: beneficial
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: PPP (क्त) from √dhā with hi-; Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies वचः
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• उद्धर्षणम्: thrilling / heartening
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uddharṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies वचः
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction
• Role: Avyaya (अव्यय-प्रयोग)

• एवम्: thus
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, manner adverb
• Role: Avyaya (अव्यय-प्रयोग)

• उवाच: said
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया)

• प्रथितम्: well-known / renowned
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prathita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: PPP (क्त) from √prath; Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies वचः
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• वचः: words / speech
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

Sandhi Notes

• सर्वामामन्त्र्य → सर्वाम् + आमन्त्र्य
• चैवमुवाच → च + एवम् + उवाच

Context

Thereafter, the lord of the earth (king Dasaratha) addressed the entire assembly of invitees. He spoke these pleasing words aimed at their welfare which thrilled and delighted the hearts (of the assembled kings):

The teaching

Public decisions gain dharmic strength when made transparently before the council and framed as hita (benefit) and uddharṣa (inspiration).

Ethical theme

Rjadharma / governance

For your practice

Models disciplined speech: speak what is beneficial and uplifting, especially in leadership and family decisions.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Vira (heroism), with Shanta (peace)

Mood

Ceremonial, resolute, uplifting

Themes

• Dharma
• Itihasa
• Ethics
• Maryada

Symbolism

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Rājadharma: a king acts through counsel and public deliberation, speaking for the welfare of the realm and inspiring confidence.

What is the narrative situation?

At the opening of Sarga 2, Daśaratha convenes the assembly and begins a formal address to them.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Statesmanship and concern for public good: the king’s words are framed as beneficial and uplifting.