Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 100, Shloka 24

शततमः सर्गः — Rāma Questions Bharata on Rājadharma

Governance, Counsel, and Public Welfare

Devanagari script

एकोऽप्यमात्यो मेधावी शूरो दक्षो विचक्षणः।राजानं राजपुत्रं वा प्रापयेन्महतीं श्रियम्।।।।

Transliteration

eko 'py amātyo medhāvī śūro dakṣo vicakṣaṇaḥ | rājānaṃ rāja-putraṃ vā prāpayen mahatīṃ śriyam ||

Translation

即便只有一位大臣，聪慧、勇毅、干练而明察，也能使国王，乃至王子，获得盛大的昌荣。

Word by Word

• ekaḥ: single, one
• ekaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine/पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative/प्रथमा), Ekavacana (Singular/एकवचन); viśeṣaṇa of amātyaḥ

• api: even
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (Indeclinable/अव्यय); nipāta (particle/निपात) expressing concession ‘even’

• amātyaḥ: minister, counsellor
• amātyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: amātya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (Nominative), Ekavacana; kartṛ-pada

• medhāvī: intelligent, prudent
• medhāvī: Karta-anuguṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: medhāvin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of amātyaḥ

• śūraḥ: brave
• śūraḥ: Karta-anuguṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śūra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of amātyaḥ

• dakṣaḥ: skilful, capable
• dakṣaḥ: Karta-anuguṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dakṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of amātyaḥ

• vicakṣaṇaḥ: clear-sighted, discerning
• vicakṣaṇaḥ: Karta-anuguṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vicakṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of amātyaḥ

• rājānam: the king
• rājānam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative/द्वितीया), Ekavacana; prāpayet iti kriyāyāḥ karma

• rājaputram: a prince (king's son)
• rājaputram: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan + putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa (genitive determinative): rājñaḥ putraḥ; alternative object with vā

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; samuccaya/vikalpa-nipāta (disjunctive particle/विकल्प) ‘or’

• prāpayet: would bring, can cause to obtain
• prāpayet: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√āp (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (Optative/विधिलिङ्), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person/प्रथमपुरुष), Ekavacana; parasmaipada; sakarmaka

• mahatīm: great
• mahatīm: Karma-anuguṇa (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (Feminine/स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of śriyam

• śriyam: prosperity, fortune
• śriyam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; prāpayet iti karma

Context

A single clear-sighted minister who is prudent, brave and skilful can bring about greatprosperity to a king or a prince.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Bharata
• amātya (minister)
• rājā (king)

FAQs

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

Dharma highlights responsible delegation: a ruler’s success depends on empowering virtuous, capable counselors who uphold truth and protect the people’s welfare.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma continues advising Bharata on governance, emphasizing the transformative impact of one excellent minister.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Value of merit (guṇa) and competence in public service—choosing advisors for character and skill.