Valmiki Ramayana 2.107.3 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 107, Shloka 3

पितृवाक्यपालनम्, गयाश्रुति-उपदेशः, भरतस्य राज्यग्रहण-निर्देशः

Rama’s Counsel on Vows, the Gaya Śruti, and Bharata’s Return to Rule

Devanagari script

पुरा भ्रातः पिता न स्स मातरं ते समुद्वहन्।मातामहे समाश्रौषीद्राज्यशुल्कमनुत्तमम्।।2.107.3।।

Transliteration

purā bhrātaḥ pitā naḥ sa mātaraṃ te samudvahan | mātāmahe samāśrauṣīd rājyaśulkam anuttamam || 2.107.3 ||

Translation

اے بھائی! پہلے جب ہمارے والد نے تمہاری ماں سے بیاہ کیا تو نانا کے حضور اُس نے بے مثال راجیہ-شُلك (دلہن کا حقِ مہر) کا وعدہ کیا—آمدنی سے بھرپور ایک سلطنت۔

Word by Word

• purā: formerly/earlier
• purā: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: purā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, time adverb

• bhrātaḥ: O brother
• bhrātaḥ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular

• pitā: father
• pitā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• naḥ: our
• naḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural sense (अस्माकम्)

• saḥ: he/that (man)
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular; apposition to pitā

• mātaram: mother
• mātaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• te: your
• te: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Genitive (6th), Singular (तव)

• samudvahan: taking (in marriage)
• samudvahan: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vah (धातु)
• Form: Vartamāna-kṛdanta (शतृ), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; with prefix sam-ud-, used as temporal participle 'while marrying/taking in marriage'

• mātāmahe: to the maternal grandfather
• mātāmahe: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mātāmaha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• samāśrauṣīt: promised
• samāśrauṣīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धातु)
• Form: Luṅ (Aorist), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular; sam-ā- prefix; meaning 'promised/assured'

• rājya-śulkam: the kingdom as bride-price
• rājya-śulkam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājya (प्रातिपदिक) + śulka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; तत्पुरुषः: rājyaṃ śulkam iva / rājya-śulkaṃ (as bride-price)

• anuttamam: unsurpassed/excellent
• anuttamam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anuttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; adjective to rājya-śulkam

Context

O valiant Bharata, go to Ayodhya accompanied by Satrughna and the twice-born (brahmins) and keep the subjects delighted like pleased (with your rule).

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Bharata
• Dasaratha
• Kaikeyi

FAQs

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

Dharma is fidelity to pledged obligations: political power is presented as tied to earlier promises, making truthfulness a binding force in governance.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama recalls the historical basis behind Kaikeyī’s claims—Daśaratha’s assurances at the time of marriage.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s commitment to truth and historical accountability, even when it disadvantages him.