Shloka 4
Āraṇyaka Parva, Adhyāya 116: Jamadagni–Reṇukā Narrative and the Kārtavīrya Conflict
Akṛtavraṇa’s Account
तस्या: कुमाराश्षत्वारो जज्ञिरे रामपज्चमा: । सर्वेषामजघन्यस्तु राम आसीज्जघन्यज:,उसके गर्भसे क्रमश: चार पुत्र हुए, फिर पाँचवें पुत्र परशुरामजीका जन्म हुआ। अवस्थाकी दृष्टिसे भाइयोंमें छोटे होनेपर भी वे गुणोंमें उन सबसे बढ़े-चढ़े थे
tasyāḥ kumārāś catvāro jajñire rāmapañcamāḥ | sarveṣām ajaghanyas tu rāma āsīj jaghanyajaḥ ||
От неё по порядку родились четверо сыновей; а пятым родился Рама (Парашурама). Хотя по возрасту он был младшим среди братьев, по доблести и достоинствам Рама превосходил всех—показывая, что истинная ценность мерится добродетелью и силой духа, а не одной лишь старшинством.
अकृतव्रण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that excellence is not determined by birth order: although Rāma is the youngest, he is described as the foremost in qualities, implying an ethical emphasis on merit, virtue, and capability over mere seniority.
Akṛtavraṇa narrates a birth account: a woman bears four sons sequentially, and then a fifth son, Rāma (Paraśurāma). The narration immediately characterizes him as surpassing his elder brothers in qualities despite being the youngest.