Valmiki Ramayana 2.1.20 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 20

गुणप्रशंसा–युवराजनिर्णयः

Praise of Rama’s Virtues and the Decision on the Heir-Apparent

Devanagari script

सम्यग्विद्याव्रतस्नातो यथावत्साङ्गवेदवित्।इष्वस्त्रे च पितु श्श्रेष्ठो बभूव भरताग्रजः।।।।

Transliteration

samyag vidyā-vrata-snātaḥ yathāvat sāṅga-veda-vit | iṣv-astre ca pituḥ śreṣṭho babhūva bharatāgrajaḥ ||

Translation

విద్యావ్రతాలను సమ్యకంగా పూర్తిచేసి స్నాతకస్నానం ఆచరించి, భరతుని అగ్రజుడు యథావిధిగా వేదాంగసహిత వేదవేత్త అయ్యాడు. ఇష్వస్త్రవిద్యలో అయితే తండ్రికన్నా శ్రేష్ఠుడయ్యాడు.

Word by Word

• samyak: properly
• samyak: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: samyak (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb) ‘properly/thoroughly’

• vidyā-vrata-snātaḥ: having completed study-vows (ceremonially bathed)
• vidyā-vrata-snātaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vidyā (प्रातिपदिक) + vrata (प्रातिपदिक) + snāta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √snā)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष (बहुपद) ‘विद्यायाः व्रते स्नातः’/‘विद्याव्रतस्नातः’; भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘having completed the vow of study (ceremonial bath)’

• yathāvat: duly
• yathāvat: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathāvat (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारार्थ (duly/according to rule)

• sāṅga-veda-vit: knower of the Veda with auxiliaries
• sāṅga-veda-vit: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa-aṅga (प्रातिपदिक) + veda (प्रातिपदिक) + vid (धातु)→vit (कृदन्त)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष ‘अङ्गैः सह वेदः’ (sāṅga-veda) + vit; पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘knower of the Veda with its auxiliaries’

• iṣu-astre: in archery and weapons
• iṣu-astre: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: iṣu (प्रातिपदिक) + astra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: द्वन्द्व (इषु + अस्त्र); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; ‘in archery/weaponry’

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• pituḥ: of his father
• pituḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; ‘of (his) father’

• śreṣṭhaḥ: the best
• śreṣṭhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘best/superior’

• babhūva: became
• babhūva: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; ‘became’

• bharata-agrajaḥ: Bharata’s elder brother
• bharata-agrajaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bharata (प्रातिपदिक) + agraja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी) ‘भरतस्य अग्रजः’; पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘elder brother of Bharata’

Context

With the appropriate sacred ablution marking the completion of the vow relating to the respective branches of learning in accordance with tradition, this elder brother of Bharata achieved proficiency in the Vedas and its auxiliary sciences. He surpassed his father in archery.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Bhārata
• Daśaratha (implied as father)

FAQs

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

Dharma for a prince includes disciplined education—scriptural knowledge joined to responsible martial skill—so power remains guided by learning and restraint.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration continues establishing Rāma’s qualifications for rule through both Vedic training and mastery of arms.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Completion of rigorous training (vrata) and excellence without arrogance—competence grounded in tradition.