Valmiki Ramayana 2.5.2: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 5, Shloka 2

अभिषेकोपवास-आदेशः

Coronation Preparations and the Fast Enjoined

Spoken by Dasharatha to VasisthaSetting: Ayodhya (royal precincts; instruction regarding upavāsa)

Devanagari script

गच्छोपवासं काकुत्स्थं कारयाद्य तपोधन ।

श्रीयशोराज्यलाभाय वध्वा सह यतव्रतम् ॥२॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.5.2

Transliteration

gacchopavāsaṃ kākutsthaṃ kārayādya tapodhana |

śrīyaśorājyalābhāya vadhvā saha yatavratam ||2||

Translation

Udaj się dzisiaj, o mędrcze, którego bogactwem jest asceza, i spraw, by Kakutstha (Rama), niezłomny w swoich ślubach, podjął post wraz z moją synową, aby sława, pomyślność i królestwo zostały należycie zabezpieczone.

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Word by Word

• gaccha: go
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (धातु)
• Form: Verb, Imperative (लोट्), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष) Singular, Parasmaipada; from √gam (गम्)
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया)

• upavāsam: fast
• Type: Noun
• Root: upavāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative Singular
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• kākutstham: Kakutstha’s descendant (Rama)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kākutstha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative Singular; epithet of Rama
• Role: Karma (कर्म) (object of ‘kāraya’)

• kāraya: make (him) do; have (him) undertake
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Causative verb (णिच्), Imperative (लोट्), 2nd person Singular, Parasmaipada; √kṛ (कृ) → kāraya ‘cause to do’
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया)

• adya: today
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: adya (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb of time (काल-अव्यय)
• Role: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)

• tapodhana: O ascetic-wealthy one (O sage)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas + dhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Vocative (सम्बोधन) Singular, Masculine; कर्मधारय: tapas (तपस्) as wealth (धन) → ‘one whose wealth is austerity’
• Role: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• śrī-yaśo-rājya-lābhāya: for gaining prosperity, fame, and kingdom
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī + yaśas + rājya + lābha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dative (चतुर्थी) Singular, Masculine; तत्पुरुष (समाहार/उद्देश्य): ‘for the attainment (लाभ) of prosperity, fame, and kingdom’
• Role: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/सम्प्रदान)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• vadhvā: with the bride/daughter-in-law
• Type: Noun
• Root: vadhū (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (तृतीया) Singular
• Role: Sahakāraka (सहकारक/सह)

• saha: together with
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saha (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, preposition-like indeclinable (सह) governing Instrumental
• Role: Sahārtha (सहार्थ)

• yatavratam: observing strict vows
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yata + vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adjective, Masculine Accusative Singular; कर्मधारय: yata (नियत) + vrata (व्रत)
• Role: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

Sandhi Notes

• gacchopavāsam = gaccha + upavāsam
• śrīyaśorājyalābhāya analyzed as compound śrī-yaśas-rājya-lābha + dative -āya

Context

Could you, O sage, whose wealth is asceticism go to Rama engaged in strict observance of vows and advise him along with Sita, my daughter-in-law to undertake fast for securing prosperity, fame and kingdom.

The teaching

Before assuming power, the ruler-to-be should be grounded in restraint (vrata) and auspicious discipline, guided by the guru.

Ethical theme

Rājadharma / saṃyama

For your practice

Upavāsa and vrata as preparatory sādhana for clarity, humility, and auspicious beginnings; couple-practice (dampatī-dharma) in observance.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Shanta (peace), with Adbhuta (wonder)

Mood

Auspicious, ritualistic, anticipatory

Themes

• Dharma
• Satya
• Ritual
• Rajadharma
• Auspiciousness

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Vasiṣṭha
• Rāma
• Sītā

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as disciplined preparation for a righteous public act (coronation): vows, restraint, and ritual observance are treated as supports for legitimate kingship and communal well-being.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha instructs Vasiṣṭha to go to Rāma and arrange a fast for Rāma and Sītā as part of the coronation rites.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s vrata-niyama (steadfastness in vows) and the king’s concern for auspicious, rule-bound procedure.