Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 2, Shloka 28

यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः

Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent

Devanagari script

दिव्यैर्गुणैश्शक्रसमो रामस्सत्यपराक्रमः।इक्ष्वाकुभ्योऽपि सर्वेभ्यो ह्यतिरिक्तो विशांपते।।2.2.28।।

Transliteration

divyair guṇaiḥ śakra-samo rāmaḥ satya-parākramaḥ |

ikṣvākubhyo ’pi sarvebhyo hy atirikto viśāṃ-pate || 2.2.28 ||

Translation

民众之主啊，罗摩具足天赐德行，与释迦罗（因陀罗）等同；其勇武真实无伪，实乃在一切伊克什瓦库后裔中亦卓然超群。

Word by Word

• divyaiḥ: by divine
• divyaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: divya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine/Neuter as adjective), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• guṇaiḥ: by virtues
• guṇaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• śakra-samaḥ: equal to Indra
• śakra-samaḥ: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-समानााधिकरण/Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śakra (प्रातिपदिक) + sama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (Tatpuruṣa; शक्रेण समः), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• rāmaḥ: Rama
• rāmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• satya-parākramaḥ: of true/proven valor
• satya-parākramaḥ: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: satya (प्रातिपदिक) + parākrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (Karmadhāraya; सत्यः पराक्रमः यस्य/सत्यपराक्रमः), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• ikṣvākubhyaḥ: from/among the Ikṣvākus
• ikṣvākubhyaḥ: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ikṣvāku (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• api: also, even
• api: Sambandha (निपात/Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), समुच्चय/अपि = 'also/even'

• sarvebhyaḥ: from all
• sarvebhyaḥ: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine/Neuter), पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थ (emphasis/indeed)

• atiriktaḥ: surpassing, distinguished
• atiriktaḥ: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ati-√ric (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• viśāṃpate: O lord of the people
• viśāṃpate: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśāṃpati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन (Singular)

Context

Lord of the people! Rama with his divine virtues is equal to Indra. He with his proven valour is exceptional among all the descendents of the Iksvakus.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Rāma
• Śakra (Indra)
• Ikṣvāku (dynasty)

FAQs

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

Dharma is tied to satya in action: ‘satyaparākrama’ implies valor that is dependable and truthful—courage aligned with righteousness rather than impulse. Such reliability is presented as a key qualification for rule.

What is the narrative situation?

The assembly begins enumerating Rāma’s excellence, elevating him through comparisons (to Indra) and dynastic distinction to justify the request for his consecration.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s ‘satyaparākrama’—proven, trustworthy valor—along with divine-like virtues that mark him as an exceptional Ikṣvāku.