Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.25 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 25

गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्

Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs

Devanagari script

एतदर्थं हि राज्यानि प्रशासति नरेश्वराः।यदेषां सर्वकृत्येषु मनो न प्रतिहन्यते।।2.52.25।।

Transliteration

etad arthaṃ hi rājyāni praśāsati nareśvarāḥ | yad eṣāṃ sarvakṛtyeṣu mano na pratihanyate || 2.52.25 ||

Translation

एतदेव कारणं हि नरेश्वराः राज्यानि प्रशासन्ति—यत् स्वकृत्येषु तेषां मनः केनचित् विघ्नेन न प्रतिहन्यते।

Word by Word

• etad-artham: for this purpose
• etad-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva compound used adverbially; 'for this purpose' (प्रयोजनार्थे अव्यय)

• hi: indeed, for
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, particle (निपात) giving emphasis/causal nuance

• rājyāni: kingdoms
• rājyāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• praśāsati: rules, governs
• praśāsati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra√śās (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

• nareśvarāḥ: kings, lords of men
• nareśvarāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक) + īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Masculine, Nominative, Plural; subject of praśāsati

• yat: because
• yat: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Relative indeclinable/conjunction (यत्) introducing reason/explanation

• eṣām: of them
• eṣām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• sarva-kṛtyeṣu: in all duties/affairs
• sarva-kṛtyeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + kṛtya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural

• manaḥ: the mind
• manaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; subject of pratihanyate

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle

• pratihanyate: is hindered, is obstructed
• pratihanyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati√han (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), Ātmanepada, 3rd person, Singular; passive-like sense 'is obstructed/struck back'

Context

The minds of kings create no hurdles in all that they want to do. That is why they rule kingdoms.

Characters & Entities

• Kings (nareśvarāḥ)
• Kingdom (rājya)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights rājadharma: effective rule requires firm will and unhindered execution of duty, not wavering indecision.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma explains to Sumantra the nature of kingship and why a king’s decisions are carried through.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respect for governance and disciplined resolve (dṛḍha-niścaya) as a royal virtue.