Valmiki Ramayana 2.2.5 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 2, Shloka 5

यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः

Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent

Devanagari script

सोऽहमिक्ष्वाकुभि स्सर्वैर्नरेन्द्रैः परिपालितम्।श्रेयसा योक्तुकामोऽस्मि सुखार्हमखिलं जगत्।।2.2.5।।

Transliteration

so ’ham ikṣvākubhiḥ sarvair narendraiḥ paripālitam | śreyasā yoktukāmo ’smi sukhārham akhilaṃ jagat || 2.2.5 ||

Translation

Nais kong tiyakin ang kapakanan ng buong daigdig—karapat-dapat sa ligaya—na matagal nang iningatan ng lahat ng haring mula sa angkan ni Ikṣvāku.

Word by Word

• मया: by me
• मया: Kartr-karana (कर्ता-करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Avyaya (अव्यय-प्रयोग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, particle (समुच्चय/अपि 'also')

• आचरितम्: practised / trodden
• आचरितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā-car (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: PPP (क्त) from ā-√car; Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies पन्थानम्

• पूर्वैः: by the predecessors
• पूर्वैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūrva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• पन्थानम्: path
• पन्थानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: panthāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• अनुगच्छता: while following
• अनुगच्छता: Kartr-karana (कर्ता-करण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu-gam (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग); agrees with मया; 'while following'

• प्रजाः: subjects
• प्रजाः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Avyaya (अव्यय-प्रयोग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nityam (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb of time

• अनिद्रेण: with sleepless vigilance
• अनिद्रेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anidra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); used adverbially 'with vigilance'

• यथाशक्ति: to the best of (my) ability
• यथाशक्ति: Avyaya (अव्यय-प्रयोग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā-śakti (अव्यय-समास)
• Form: Avyayībhāva: yathā + śakti; indeclinable adverb meaning 'according to ability'

• अभिरक्षिताः: were protected
• अभिरक्षिताः: Kriya (क्रिया-भाव)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhi-rakṣ (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: PPP (क्त) from abhi-√rakṣ; Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); agrees with प्रजाः

Context

The earth desired to have Rama, richly endowed with such virtues, possessing proven prowess, comparable to Indra and other regents of the world, as her lord.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Ikṣvāku dynasty
• jagat (the world)

FAQs

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

Rājadharma: the king’s duty is to pursue śreyas (true welfare) for the whole realm, ensuring the people’s happiness as a moral responsibility, not merely political success.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha reflects on the Ikṣvāku tradition of righteous rule and expresses his intention to act for the world’s welfare—foreshadowing the decision to install Rama as heir-apparent.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s sense of duty and public-mindedness—placing the common good (śreyas of the world) above personal comfort.