Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.72: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 72

गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्

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

Spoken by Rama to GuhaSetting: Śṛṅgaverapura (context of counsel)Farewell counsel before Rāma proceeds onward

Devanagari script

अप्रमत्तो बले कोशे दुर्गे जनपदे तथा ।

भवेथा गुह राज्यं हि दुरारक्षतमं मतम् ॥७२॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.52.72

Transliteration

apramatto bale kośe durge janapade tathā |

bhavethā guha rājyaṃ hi durārakṣatamaṃ matam ||72||

Translation

“ท่านคุหะ จงอย่าประมาทในกองทัพ คลังหลวง ป้อมปราการ และหัวเมืองทั้งหลาย เพราะราชอาณาจักรนั้น—ดังที่ท่านผู้รู้กล่าวไว้—เป็นสิ่งคุ้มครองได้ยากยิ่ง”

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Word by Word

• अप्रमत्तः: vigilant
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-प्रमत्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; नञ्-समास/उपसर्गयुक्त (negated): ‘not careless, vigilant’
• Role: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)

• बले: in the army
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन
• Role: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)

• कोशे: in the treasury
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन
• Role: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)

• दुर्गे: in the fort
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन
• Role: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)

• जनपदे: in the countryside/provinces
• Type: Noun
• Root: जनपद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन
• Role: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)

• तथा: likewise
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (manner/also)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)

• भवेथाः: be (you should be)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन, परस्मैपद
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)

• गुह: O Guha
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन
• Role: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)

• राज्यम्: kingdom
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; अत्र विषय-निर्देश (topic)
• Role: Karma (कर्म/Topic-Object)

• हि: indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थ (indeed/for)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)

• दुरारक्षतमम्: most difficult to guard
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर् (उपसर्ग) + रक्ष् (धातु) → दुरारक्षत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तमप्-प्रत्यय (superlative): ‘most difficult to protect’
• Role: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)

• मतम्: is considered
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle) used adjectivally; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘considered/held (to be)’
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicative)

Context

O Guha! you must be vigilant about your army, treasury, forts and provinces. A kingdom, it is (rightly) said, is protected with great difficulty.

The teaching

A kingdom is difficult to guard; only apramāda—constant vigilance over resources, defense, and people—sustains stability and dharma.

Ethical theme

Rājadharma / nīti

For your practice

Practical nīti as sādhana: cultivate apramāda in one’s responsibilities (family, work, inner discipline).

Mood and themes

Rasa

Shanta (peace), with Vira (heroism)

Mood

Admonitory, prudent, statecraft

Themes

• Dharma
• Rajadharma
• Governance
• Ethics
• Maryada

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Guha
• army (bala)
• treasury (kośa)
• kingdom (rājya)

FAQs

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

Rājadharma: a ruler’s duty is vigilant protection of the state’s pillars—defense, finance, fortifications, and the welfare/security of the people.

What is the narrative situation?

Before departing, Rāma offers Guha practical counsel on safeguarding his realm, emphasizing constant alertness.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Responsible leadership—Rāma models concern for orderly governance even amid personal hardship.