Valmiki Ramayana 2.1.29: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 29

गुणप्रशंसा-युवराजनिर्णयः

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

Devanagari script

धनुर्वेदविदां श्रेष्ठो लोकेऽतिरथसम्मतः ।

अभियाता प्रहर्ता च सेनानयविशारदः ॥२९॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.1.29

Transliteration

dhanurvedavidāṃ śreṣṭho loke ’tirathasammataḥ |

abhiyātā prahartā ca senānayaviśāradaḥ ||29||

Translation

ఈ లోకములో ధనుర్వేదవిదులలో అతడు శ్రేష్ఠుడు; ‘అతిరథుడు’ అని గౌరవింపబడెను. శత్రువులపై దూసుకుపోయి నిర్ణాయకంగా ప్రహరించుటలో సమర్థుడు, సేనానయములో విశారదుడు.

Ask anything about this verse...Ask

Word by Word

• धनुः-वेद-विदाम्: of the knowers of archery-science
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस् (प्रातिपदिक) + वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + विद् (धातु/प्रातिपदिक-आधार)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• श्रेष्ठः: best; excellent
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• लोके: in the world
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन
• Role: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)

• अतिरथ-सम्मतः: acknowledged as an atiratha (great chariot-warrior)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अतिरथ (प्रातिपदिक) + सम्मत (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• अभियाता: assailant; one who advances (to attack)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभि + या (धातु)
• Form: क्तृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (agent noun), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• प्रहर्ता: striker; slayer
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्र + हृ (धातु)
• Form: क्तृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)

• सेना-नय-विशारदः: expert in leading armies
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सेना (प्रातिपदिक) + नय (प्रातिपदिक) + विशारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

Sandhi Notes

• लोकेऽतिरथसम्मतः → लोके + अतिरथसम्मतः (e + a → ')
• धनुर्वेदविदां → धनुः + वेद + विदाम् (visarga/lopa in compound)

Context

He was the best among those skilled in archery in this world. He was reckoned as a great wielder of war-chariots and one who strikes at the enemies by advancing towards them. He was an expert in commanding troops. (Atiratha is an excellent warrior who can manage his chariot, horses and the charioteer.)

The teaching

Martial excellence is framed as competence in protection: decisive action against threats and skilled leadership of forces are part of righteous kingship.

Ethical theme

Kṣātra-dharma / protective force

For your practice

Invokes inner vīrya: cultivate courage and decisiveness in defending dharma (personal boundaries, justice) without cruelty.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Vira (heroism), with Raudra (fury)

Mood

Martial, decisive, unyielding

Themes

• Dharma
• Kshatriya-dharma
• Rajadharma
• Courage
• Leadership
• Itihasa

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• dhanurveda
• army

FAQs

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

Kṣatriya-dharma requires disciplined martial excellence used for protection and just order—skill joined with responsibility in command.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma’s military qualifications are highlighted as part of the case for his fitness to rule.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Valor with competence: not only personal prowess, but also strategic leadership in directing troops.