Valmiki Ramayana 2.1.38 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 38

गुणप्रशंसा–युवराजनिर्णयः

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

Devanagari script

यमशक्रसमो वीर्ये बृहस्पतिसमो मतौ।।।।महीधरसमो धृत्यां मत्तश्च गुणवत्तरः।

Transliteration

yamaśakrasamo vīrye bṛhaspatisamo matau | mahīdharasamo dhṛtyāṃ mattaś ca guṇavattaraḥ ||

Translation

“ในเดชกำลังทรงเสมอพระยมและพระศักระ; ในปัญญาและคำปรึกษา ดุจพระพฤหัสบดี; ในความมั่นคง ดุจขุนเขา—และในคุณธรรมยิ่งกว่าเราเสียอีก”

Word by Word

• यमशक्रसमः: equal to Yama and Indra
• यमशक्रसमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यम + शक्र + सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः (यमशक्रयोः समः)

• वीर्ये: in prowess
• वीर्ये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• बृहस्पतिसमः: equal to Bṛhaspati
• बृहस्पतिसमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बृहस्पति + सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (बृहस्पतेः समः)

• मतौ: in intellect/wisdom
• मतौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• महीधरसमः: equal to a mountain
• महीधरसमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महीधर + सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (महीधरस्य समः)

• धृत्याम्: in steadfastness
• धृत्याम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• मत्तः: than me
• मत्तः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पञ्चमी, एकवचन

• च: and/also
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-बोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• गुणवत्तरः: more virtuous
• गुणवत्तरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुणवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तरप्-प्रत्यय (comparative)

Context

'Seeing my son ruling this entire dominion of the earth, I will experience the bliss of attaining heaven at this age.'

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Rāma
• Yama
• Indra (Śakra)
• Bṛhaspati

FAQs

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

Dharma values fitness to rule: power must be guided by wisdom and steadiness, culminating in superior character.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha enumerates Rāma’s exemplary qualities as justification for appointing him heir.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s balanced excellence—valor, wise judgment, and unwavering fortitude.