Valmiki Ramayana 2.97.5: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 97, Shloka 5

भरतागमनशङ्कानिवारणम् / Dispelling Suspicion about Bharata’s Arrival

Chitrakuta Encampment

Devanagari script

धर्ममर्थं च कामं च पृथिवीं चापि लक्ष्मण ।

इच्छामि भवतामर्थे एतत् प्रतिशृणोमि ते ॥५॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.97.5

Transliteration

dharmam arthaṃ ca kāmaṃ ca pṛthivīṃ cāpi lakṣmaṇa |

icchāmi bhavatām arthe etat pratiśṛṇomi te ||5||

Translation

اے لکشمن! تمہاری خاطر میں دھرم، ارتھ، کام اور حتیٰ کہ زمین کی حکمرانی بھی چاہتا ہوں؛ یہ بات میں تم سے پختہ عہد کے ساتھ کہتا ہوں۔

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Word by Word

• धर्मम्: righteousness, dharma
• धर्मम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; Masculine, Accusative singular

• अर्थम्: wealth, purpose
• अर्थम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Accusative singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• कामम्: desire, pleasure
• कामम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Accusative singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• पृथिवीम्: the earth, kingdom
• पृथिवीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथिवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Feminine, Accusative singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अपि: also, even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अपि = also/even (particle)

• लक्ष्मण: O Lakshmana
• लक्ष्मण: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्ष्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Vocative singular

• इच्छामि: I desire
• इच्छामि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष्/इच्छ् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), उत्तम-पुरुष, एकवचन; Present indicative, 1st person singular

• भवताम्: of you (all)
• भवताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (आदरार्थे), षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Genitive plural (of you, honorific)

• अर्थे: for the sake (of)
• अर्थे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Locative singular; अर्थे = for the sake/purpose

• एतत्: this (all)
• एतत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Neuter, Accusative singular

• प्रतिशृणोमि: I swear, I promise
• प्रतिशृणोमि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति-श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), उत्तम-पुरुष, एकवचन; Present indicative, 1st person singular; प्रतिशृणोमि = I vow/solemnly promise

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया/चतुर्थी-एकवचन (एन्‍क्लिटिक रूप); here: चतुर्थी (सम्प्रदान) singular = to you

Context

O Lakshmana, on the oath of righteousness, I wish wealth and pleasure as well as this kingdom for the sake of you all.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• dharma
• artha
• kāma
• pṛthivī (kingdom)

FAQs

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

Dharma governs even legitimate goals (artha, kāma, and rulership). Rāma frames his desires as service-oriented—meant for the welfare of his brothers, not personal greed.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma reassures Lakṣmaṇa that his stance is not hostility toward kingship itself, but toward unrighteous acquisition; he values the brothers’ welfare.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Responsibility and benevolence—Rāma’s aims are subordinated to family welfare and dharma.