Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 2, Shloka 52

यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः

Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent

Devanagari script

स्त्रियो वृद्धास्तरुण्यश्च सायं प्रातस्समाहिताः।सर्वान् देवान् नमस्यन्ति रामस्यार्थे यशस्विनः।।2.2.52।।

Transliteration

striyo vṛddhās taruṇyaś ca sāyaṃ prātas samāhitāḥ | sarvān devān namasyanti rāmasyārthe yaśasvinaḥ || 2.2.52 ||

Translation

妇女们——无论年长或年轻——于黄昏与黎明专心虔敬，礼拜诸天，只为那声名显赫的罗摩。

Word by Word

• तेषाम्: of them
• तेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Genitive, Plural (बहुवचन)

• आयाचितम्: the request; prayer
• आयाचितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āyācita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; आ+√yāc (याच्) क्त)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; 'that which is requested/prayed for'

• देव: O lord (king)
• देव: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular; address to king

• त्वत्प्रसादात्: by your grace
• त्वत्प्रसादात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvat + prasāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; 'by/through your grace'

• समृद्ध्यताम्: may it be fulfilled
• समृद्ध्यताम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√ṛdh (ऋध् धातु)
• Form: Imperative/benedictive sense (लोट्), Ātmanepada, 3rd Person, Singular; passive/impersonal wish 'let it be fulfilled'

• रामम्: Rama
• रामम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; object of 'पश्यामः'

• इन्दीवरश्यामम्: dark like a blue lotus
• इन्दीवरश्यामम्: Karma-anvaya (कर्मणि विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: indīvara + śyāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; agrees with 'रामम्'

• सर्वशत्रुनिबर्हणम्: destroyer of all enemies
• सर्वशत्रुनिबर्हणम्: Karma-anvaya (कर्मणि विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva + śatru + nibarhaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; agrees with 'रामम्'

• पश्यामः: we shall see
• पश्यामः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √paś (पश् धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), Parasmaipada, 1st Person (उत्तमपुरुष), Plural

• यौवराज्यस्थम्: installed in the regency
• यौवराज्यस्थम्: Karma-anvaya (कर्मणि विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yauvarājya + stha (प्रातिपदिक; √sthā (स्था) क्त/स्थ)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; agrees with 'रामम्'

• तव: your
• तव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Genitive, Singular

• राजोत्तमात्मजम्: your son, best of kings
• राजोत्तमात्मजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāja + uttama + ātmaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; apposition to 'रामम्'

Context

O Lord let the peoples' prayer be fulfilled by your blessings. We would like to see your son Rama of the complexion of a blue-lotus and destroyer of enemies as prince regent.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma

FAQs

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

Civic dharma expressed as prayer: society supports righteous leadership through collective spiritual practice, seeking the protector’s well-being as a pathway to common good.

What is the narrative situation?

The verse reports widespread devotional acts performed for Rama’s welfare, reflecting public endorsement of his future rule.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s yaśas (honored reputation), implying merit accumulated through truthfulness and righteousness.