Valmiki Ramayana 2.104.21: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 104, Shloka 21

भरतस्य प्रार्थना—रामस्य धर्मोपदेशः

Bharata’s Petition and Rama’s Dharma-Reasoning

Devanagari script

यावत पितरि धर्मज्ञे गौरवं लोकसत्कृतम्।तावद्धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठ जनन्यामपि गौरवम्।।।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.104.21

Transliteration

yāvat pitari dharmajñe gauravaṁ lokasatkṛtam |

tāvad dharmabhṛtāṁ śreṣṭha jananyām api gauravam ||

Translation

اے دھرم کے نگہبانوں میں برتر! ہمارے دھرم شناس پتا—جو دنیا میں معزز ہیں—کو جو احترام دیا جاتا ہے، وہی احترام ماں کو بھی دیا جانا چاہیے۔

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Word by Word

• यावत्: as much as
• यावत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यावत् (अव्यय/सर्वनाम)
• Form: परिमाणवाचक-अव्यय (as much as/so long as)

• पितरि: in/with regard to (one's) father
• पितरि: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• धर्मज्ञे: who knows dharma
• धर्मज्ञे: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्मज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः: धर्मं जानाति

• गौरवम्: honour/respect
• गौरवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गौरव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• लोकसत्कृतम्: honoured by the world
• लोकसत्कृतम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लोक-सत्कृत (कृदन्त; सम् + √कृ (धातु))
• Form: भूतकृदन्त, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: लोकेन सत्कृतम्

• तावत्: that much
• तावत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तावत् (अव्यय/सर्वनाम)
• Form: परिमाणवाचक-अव्यय (that much)

• धर्मभृताम्: of the upholders of dharma
• धर्मभृताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्मभृत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः: धर्मं भरति/धारयति

• श्रेष्ठ: O best one
• श्रेष्ठ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

• जनन्याम्: in/with regard to mother
• जनन्याम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जननी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• अपि: even/also
• अपि: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक-अव्यय (also/even)

• गौरवम्: honour/respect
• गौरवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गौरव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; (अध्याहृतं: भवति/कर्तव्यम्)

Context

O best among the protectors of righteousness! the honour shown to our father who is conversant with the ways of righteousness and much revered by the world ought to be shown towards our mother also.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Bharata
• Dasharatha
• Kausalya

FAQs

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

Equal reverence is owed to both parents; honoring the mother is as binding as honoring the father, because dharma is upheld through balanced filial duty.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama is instructing Bharata in the aftermath of the royal crisis, emphasizing how Bharata should relate to their parents and uphold dharma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Maryādā (propriety) and impartial filial reverence—Rama models principled conduct without bias between parents.