Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 7

दूतधर्म-परामर्शः

Envoy-Immunity and Royal Counsel in Ravana’s Court

Devanagari script

धर्मज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च राजधर्मविशारदः।परावरज्ञो भूतानां त्वमेव परमार्थवित्।।।।

Transliteration

dharmajñaś ca kṛtajñaś ca rājadharmaviśāradaḥ |

parāvarajño bhūtānāṃ tvam eva paramārthavit ||

Translation

Ты знаток дхармы, благодарный и проницательный, искусный в обязанностях царей; ты понимаешь, что выше и что ниже среди существ — поистине, ты знаешь высшую истину.

Word by Word

• dharmajñaḥ: knower of dharma
• dharmajñaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण of tvam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + jña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (धर्मं जानाति = knower of dharma)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• kṛtajñaḥ: grateful
• kṛtajñaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण of tvam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृदन्त, √kṛ) + jña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (कृतं जानाति = grateful/recognizes favors)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• rājadharma-viśāradaḥ: expert in royal duty
• rājadharma-viśāradaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण of tvam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rājadharma (प्रातिपदिक) + viśārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (राजधर्मे विशारदः = expert in kingly duty)

• parāvara-jñaḥ: knower of higher and lower (right and wrong)
• parāvara-jñaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण of tvam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक) + avara (प्रातिपदिक) + jña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष

• bhūtānām: of beings
• bhūtānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• eva: alone/indeed
• eva: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• paramārtha-vit: knower of the supreme truth
• paramārtha-vit: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण of tvam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paramārtha (प्रातिपदिक) + vid (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (परमार्थं वेत्ति = knower of highest truth)

Context

"O king of ogres! give up your wrath, forgive and calm down. Please listen to my appeal. You know the basic values of life. Virtuous rulers of the earth do not order killing of an envoy.

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• bhūta (beings)

FAQs

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

Ethical appeal: one should act in harmony with one’s own professed knowledge of dharma and truth, not contradict it through anger-driven actions.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa uses respectful praise to bring Rāvaṇa back to lawful conduct regarding the captured messenger.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vibhīṣaṇa’s persuasive integrity—he urges dharma by reminding the king of his higher capacities and responsibilities.