Valmiki Ramayana 2.2.54: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 2, Shloka 54

यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः

Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent

Addressed to DasharathaSetting: अयोध्या राजसभा (royal court)

Devanagari script

तं देव देवोपममात्मजं ते सर्वस्य लोकस्य हिते निविष्टम् ।

हिताय नः क्षिप्रमुदारजुष्टं मुदाऽभषेक्तुं वरद त्वमर्हसि ॥५४॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.2.54

Transliteration

taṃ deva devopamam ātmajaṃ te sarvasya lokasya hite niviṣṭam |

hitāya naḥ kṣipram udārajuṣṭaṃ mudā ’bhiṣektuṃ varada tvam arhasi ||54||

Translation

वरद, त्वं मुदाऽविलम्बेन सर्वलोकहिते निविष्टं देवोपमं ते आत्मजं उदारगुणजुष्टम्। अस्माकं हिताय यौवराज्येऽभिषेक्तुमर्हसि॥

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Word by Word

• तेषाम्: of them
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Genitive, Plural
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)

• अञ्जलिपद्मानि: lotus-like folded palms
• Type: Noun
• Root: añjali + padma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural; object of 'प्रतिगृह्य'
• Role: Karma (कर्म)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• प्रगृहीतानि: held out
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra-√grah (ग्रह् धातु) + pragṛhīta (कृदन्त; क्त)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural; agrees with 'अञ्जलिपद्मानि'
• Role: Karma-anvaya (कर्मणि विशेषण)

• सर्वशः: in every way
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sarvaśas (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb (प्रकारवाचक)
• Role: Avyaya (अव्यय)

• प्रतिगृह्य: having received
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati-√grah (ग्रह् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्)
• Role: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)

• अब्रवीत्: spoke
• Type: Verb
• Root: √brū (ब्रू धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया)

• राजा: the king
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• तेभ्यः: to them
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Plural
• Role: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)

• प्रियहितम्: pleasing and beneficial
• Type: Adjective
• Root: priya + hita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; agrees with 'वचः'
• Role: Karma-anvaya (कर्मणि विशेषण)
• Compound: Dvandva

• वचः: words
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; object of 'अब्रवीत्'
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

Sandhi Notes

• तेषामञ्जलिपद्मानि = तेषाम् + अञ्जलिपद्मानि
• प्रतिगृह्याब्रवीत् = प्रतिगृह्य + अब्रवीत्
• अब्रवीद्राजा = अब्रवीत् + राजा

Context

O bestower of boons! it behoves you to install with delight and without delay your son (Rama) endowed with all virtues equal to god of the gods and committed to our well-being and to the welfare of this world, as your heir-apparent.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē dvitīyassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the second sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

The teaching

Timely installation of the qualified heir is itself dharma: leadership is for loka-hita, and joy (mudā) is appropriate when duty aligns with public good.

Ethical theme

Rāja-dharma / prajā-hita governance

Devotion and practice

Meditation on Rāma as the embodiment of noble virtues and universal welfare; supports bhakti joined with civic responsibility.

Deity praised

Rāma (as devopama, loka-hita-niviṣṭa)

Form of praise

Stuti (a hymn of praise)

Mood and themes

Rasa

Vira (heroism), with Shanta (peace)

Mood

Urgent, uplifting, public-spirited

Themes

• Dharma
• Satya
• Succession ethics
• Ideal kingship
• Itihasa

Symbolism

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Rāma
• abhiṣeka (consecration)
• loka (world)

FAQs

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

Dharma as timely, rightful succession: installing a universally beneficial, noble heir preserves social order and protects truth-centered governance.

What is the narrative situation?

The people formally urge Daśaratha to perform Rama’s abhiṣeka as yuvarāja, emphasizing Rama’s commitment to universal welfare.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Udāratā (nobility/generosity) and loka-hita-niṣṭhā (steadfast dedication to the world’s welfare), presented as the hallmark of Rama’s fitness to rule.