Shloka 14

वाली–रामसंवादः

Rama’s Justification to Vali on Rājadharma

Devanagari script

यवीयानात्मनः पुत्रशशिष्यश्चापि गुणोदितः।पुत्रवत्ते त्रयश्चिन्त्या धर्मश्चेदत्रकारणम्4.18.14।।

Transliteration

yavīyān ātmanaḥ putraś ca śiṣyaś cāpi guṇoditaḥ | putravat te trayaś cintyā dharmaś ced atra kāraṇam ||

Translation

కనిష్ఠ సహోదరుడు, తన స్వపుత్రుడు, మరియు గుణవంతుడైన శిష్యుడు—ఇక్కడ ధర్మమే ప్రమాణమైతే, ఈ ముగ్గురినీ పుత్రసములుగా భావించాలి.

Word by Word

• yavīyān: younger
• yavīyān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yuvan (प्रातिपदिक; comparative yavīyas)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; comparative degree (तर/ईयस) meaning 'younger'

• ātmanaḥ: of oneself
• ātmanaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular; reflexive 'of oneself'

• putraḥ: son
• putraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• śiṣyaḥ: disciple
• śiṣyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

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

• api: also
• api: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात) 'also'

• guṇoditaḥ: virtuous
• guṇoditaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: guṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + udita (कृदन्त, √ud, क्त)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; तत्पुरुष 'guṇaiḥ uditaḥ' / 'guṇodita' = endowed/risen with virtues; qualifies śiṣyaḥ (and/or the set)

• putra-vat: like a son
• putra-vat: Prakāra/Upamā (प्रकार/उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: putra (प्रातिपदिक) + vat (मतुप्/वत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable adverbial (उपमान-प्रयोग) meaning 'like a son'

• te: for you/your
• te: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक सर्वनाम)
• Form: Genitive, Singular; 'for you/your'

• trayaḥ: three
• trayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक संख्या)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• cintyāḥ: should be treated/considered
• cintyāḥ: Vidhi (विधि/आदेश)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: cint (धातु √cint) + cintya (कृदन्त, तव्य/यत्)
• Form: Gerundive (यत्/तव्य), Masculine, Nominative, Plural; 'to be considered/treated'

• dharmaḥ: dharma
• dharmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• cet: if
• cet: Sambandha (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: cet (अव्यय)
• Form: Conditional particle (निपात) 'if'

• atra: here/in this matter
• atra: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देश-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atra (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable adverb of place (देश)

• kāraṇam: the reason
• kāraṇam: Karta/Pradhāna (प्रधाना)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular; predicate noun with implied 'asti'

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Vali

FAQs

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

Dharma extends ‘filial’ protection to vulnerable dependents—especially the younger brother and disciple—who must be treated with the care owed to a son.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama tightens the ethical frame: if Sugriva is to be treated like a son, then violations connected to him (including his marital rights) become grave breaches.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Protectiveness and responsibility toward dependents—dharma as guardianship rather than domination.