Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 15
पुत्रजन्मोत्सवः — Birth of the Princes and Viśvāmitra’s Arrival
Bālakāṇḍa 18
राज्ञ: पुत्रा महात्मानश्चत्वारो जज्ञिरे पृथक्।।।।गुणवन्तोऽनुरूपाश्च रुच्या प्रोष्ठपदोपमा:।
rājñaḥ putrā mahātmānaś catvāro jajñire pṛthak |
guṇavanto ’nurūpāś ca rucyā proṣṭhapadopamāḥ ||
Sa gayon, apat na anak na dakilang-loob ang isinilang sa hari, bawat isa sa takdang pagkakasunod—punô ng kabutihan, angkop sa lahat ng paraan, at nagniningning na wari’y mga bituin ng Proṣṭhapadā.
The gandharvas sang melodiously. Groups of apsaras danced. Celestial kettledrums were sounded. Flowers were showered from the sky. Men througed to Ayodhya to witness the festivities.
FAQs
The verse frames virtue as the true measure of royalty: noble birth is meaningful when paired with guṇa (character), supporting the ideal of dharmic kingship.
A summary statement concludes the birth-account: Daśaratha has four sons, each notable for excellence and auspicious brilliance.
Guṇavattā—possession of virtues—suggesting moral fitness to uphold family and royal responsibilities.
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