Valmiki Ramayana 2.4.1-2: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 4, Shlokas 1-2
अयोध्याकाण्डे चतुर्थः सर्गः · Rāma Summoned; Pushya Coronation Decision
Spoken by Dasharatha to Ministers/CounsellorsSetting: Ayodhyā
गतेष्वथ नृपो भूयः पौरेषु सह मन्त्रिभिः ।
मन्त्रयित्वा ततश्चक्रे निश्चयज्ञस्सनिश्चयम् ॥१॥
श्व एव पुष्यो भविताश्वोऽभिषेच्यस्तु मे सुतः ।
रामो राजीवताम्राक्षो यौवराज्य इति प्रभुः ॥२॥
gateṣv atha nṛpo bhūyaḥ paureṣu saha mantribhiḥ |
mantrayitvā tataś cakre niścayajñaḥ sa niścayam ||1||
śva eva puṣyo bhavitā śvo 'bhiṣecyas tu me sutaḥ |
rāmo rājīva-tāmrākṣo yauvarājye iti prabhuḥ ||2||
ପୌରମାନେ ପ୍ରସ୍ଥାନ କରିଗଲା ପରେ ନୃପ ଆଉଥରେ ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀମାନଙ୍କ ସହ ପରାମର୍ଶ କରି ଦୃଢ଼ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ କଲେ: “ଆସନ୍ତାକାଲି ପୁଷ୍ୟ ନକ୍ଷତ୍ର ଉଦୟ ହେବ; ଆସନ୍ତାକାଲି କମଳସଦୃଶ ରକ୍ତିମ ନୟନଧାରୀ ମୋ ପୁତ୍ର ଶ୍ରୀରାମ ଯୁବରାଜ୍ୟରେ ଅଭିଷିକ୍ତ ହେବେ।”
Sandhi Notes
- अथाऽन्तर्गृहमाविश्य = अथ अन्तर्गृहम् आविश्य
- सूतमामन्त्रयामास = सूतम् आमन्त्रयामास
- पुनरिह = पुनः इह
After the citizens departed, the king, an expert in decision-making again consulted his counsellors and said, Tomorrow Pushya star is in the ascendence and my son, Rama (handsome) with copper-coloured eyes which resemble red lotus petals will be installed heir-apparent.
The teaching
Rājadharma favors orderly succession through counsel (mantra) and auspicious, publicly legitimate rites to secure stability.
- Ethical theme
- Rājadharma / governance
For your practice
Mindful saṅkalpa and alignment with auspicious timing (kāla) for dharmic actions; cultivating steadiness in decision-making.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism), with Adbhuta (wonder)
- Mood
- Auspicious, resolute, ceremonial
Themes
- Dharma
- Kingship
- Rajadharma
- Itihasa
- Satya
Saṅkalpa as the directing power of buddhi; orderly transfer of adhikāra (office) mirrors disciplined renunciation of personal claim for dharma.
Bṛhadāraṇyaka/Chāndogya themes of kṣatraĻrāhma cooperation (king with counselors) and auspicious timing for rites (kāla as ritual fitness).
Puṣya constellation to be ascendant on the morrow (auspicious muhūrta).
- Dasharatha and Ministers
- Royal counsel and statecraft deliberation (trusting)
- Dasharatha and Rama
- Fatherson; succession planning (affectionate)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.3 (public acclamation and succession context); Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.5IJ.6 (KaikeyīMantharā counter-move after this decision)
Mahābhārata ānti/Anuśāsana rājadharma sections on counsel (mantra) and succession; Purāṇic/Smṛti coronation-rite conventions (abhiseka, nakṣatra selection)
Ayodhyākāṇḍa: Daśaratha+cs repeated consultation with ministers before major acts (mantraṇā)
Anuṣṭubh (predominant loka meter)
Commanding
Madhyama-gati with niṣāda emphasis on saṅkalpa/niŜaya phrases
FAQs
It reflects rājadharma: a king acts through counsel and clear resolve, aligning public action (succession) with auspicious timing and orderly governance.
Daśaratha, after public proceedings, privately consults ministers and fixes the date for Rāma’s installation as yuvarāja.
Decisiveness with consultation—Daśaratha’s administrative responsibility and commitment to an orderly transfer of power.
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