Valmiki Ramayana 2.2.22 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 2, Shloka 22

यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः

Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent

Devanagari script

इच्छामो हि महाबाहुं रघुवीरं महाबलम्।गजेन महताऽयान्तं रामं छत्रावृताननम्।।2.2.22।।

Transliteration

icchāmo hi mahā-bāhuṃ raghu-vīraṃ mahā-balam |

gajena mahatā yāntaṃ rāmaṃ chatrāvṛtānanaṃ || 2.2.22 ||

Translation

Tunay ngang minimithi naming makita si Rāma—ang makapangyarihang-bisig na bayani ng angkan ni Raghu, dakila sa lakas—na dumarating na nakasakay sa isang malaking elepante, at ang kaniyang mukha’y nalililiman sa ilalim ng maharlikang payong.

Word by Word

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरणार्थक अव्यय

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (of vacanam)

• वचनम्: speech/words
• वचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive)

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तेषाम्: of them
• तेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• मनःप्रियम्: pleasing to the mind
• मनःप्रियम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनस् + प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: मनसः प्रियम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (of vacanam implied/that act)

• अजानन्: not knowing
• अजानन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ज्ञा (धातु) with न-प्रत्यय (neg.)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ) ‘जानत्’ with privative a-; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; qualifying rājā

• इव: as if
• इव: Upamana (उपमान-सूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमावाचक अव्यय

• जिज्ञासुः: wishing to ascertain
• जिज्ञासुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: इच्छार्थक कृदन्त (सन्-प्रत्यय/Desiderative base jिज्ञास्) + उ-प्रत्यय; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘desirous to know’

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (of vacanam)

• वचनम्: statement
• वचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अब्रवीत्: said
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Context

We cherish to see the mighty-armed hero among the Raghus, Rama, riding on a majestic elephant, his countenance shadowed by the royal parasol.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Raghu (dynastic reference)
• gaja (royal elephant)
• chatra (royal parasol)

FAQs

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

The verse links righteous rule with public legitimacy: the people’s desire to witness the heir’s royal insignia reflects dharma as social order upheld through recognized, ceremonial affirmation of authority.

What is the narrative situation?

The assembly expresses eagerness to see the public signs of Rāma’s elevation—an auspicious, visible confirmation of succession.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s heroic stature and strength (mahābāhu, mahābala), presented as qualities suited to protecting and sustaining dharmic governance.