रामो विग्रहवान् धर्मस्साधुस्सत्यपराक्रमः। राजा सर्वस्य लोकस्य देवानां मघवानिव॥
rāmo vigrahavān dharmassādhussatyaparākramaḥ । rājā sarvasya lokasya devānāṃ maghavāniva ॥
Meaning of Ramo Vigrahavan
Lord Rama is the living embodiment of righteousness itself. He is the ultimate refuge of the virtuous, unwavering in his resolutions, and steadfast in his truthful valour. He is the sole ruler of this entire universe, who governs and protects all realms in the exact same manner as Lord Indra rules and protects the entire celestial domain.
Translation note: This translation is reproduced from the PM's X post video. Sādhuḥ means virtuous, not refuge of the virtuous. The verse does not separately state unwavering resolutions or describe the protection of all realms.
Word by word
- रामोrāmo
Rama; sandhi form of rāmaḥ
- विग्रहवान्vigrahavān
having bodily form; embodied
- धर्मस्साधुस्सत्यपराक्रमःdharmassādhussatyaparākramaḥ
righteousness, virtuous, and of true prowess; sandhi of dharmaḥ + sādhuḥ + satyaparākramaḥ
- राजाrājā
king
- सर्वस्यsarvasya
of all
- लोकस्यlokasya
of the world
- देवानांdevānāṃ
of the gods
- मघवानिवmaghavāniva
like Indra; maghavān + iva, including the particle of comparison
Commentary
Calling Rama vigrahavān dharmaḥ gives righteousness a visible, bodily form. His conduct makes an ethical principle recognizable in a person. Sādhuḥ describes his goodness, while satyaparākramaḥ places truth beside his prowess. The comparison with Indra extends this portrait to kingship over the world. For a reader today, these qualities offer a way to judge leadership through conduct and the purposes for which strength is used.
Original Post
More from Valmiki Ramayana
View source pageदैवं पुरुषकारेण यः समर्थः प्रबाधितुम्। न दैवेन विपन्नार्थः पुरुषः सोऽवसीदति॥
daivaṁ puruṣakāreṇa yaḥ samarthaḥ prabādhitum । na daivena vipannārthaḥ puruṣaḥ so’vasīdati ॥
A Valmiki Ramayana verse teaches that a person capable of confronting destiny through human effort does not lose heart when faced with adversity.
लोकपालाश्च ते सर्वे वासवप्रमुखास्तथा। ऋतवः षट् च ते सर्वे मासाः संवत्सराः क्षपाः॥ दिनानि च मुहूर्ताश्च स्वस्ति कुर्वन्तु ते सदा। श्रुतिः स्मृतिश्च धर्मश्च पातु त्वां पुत्र सर्वतः॥
lokapālāśca te sarve vāsavapramukhāstathā । ṛtavaḥ ṣaṭ ca te sarve māsāḥ saṁvatsarāḥ kṣapāḥ ॥ dināni ca muhūrtāśca svasti kurvantu te sadā । śrutiḥ smṛtiśca dharmaśca pātu tvāṁ putra sarvataḥ ॥
In this blessing from the Ayodhya Kanda, the guardians of the world, the cycles of time, sacred tradition, and dharma are invoked for abiding well-being and protection.
अनिर्वेदः श्रियो मूलमनिर्वेदः परं सुखम्। अनिर्वेदो हि सततं सर्वार्थेषु प्रवर्तकः॥
anirvedaḥ śriyo mūlam anirvedaḥ paraṁ sukham । anirvedo hi satataṁ sarvārtheṣu pravartakaḥ ॥
A Sundara Kanda verse from the Valmiki Ramayana teaching that non-despondency, steady effort, and faith are the roots of progress and happiness.
More subhashitams on Dharma
View topic pageप्रथमवयसि पीतं तोयमल्पं स्मरन्तः शिरसि निहितभारा नारिकेला नराणाम्। ददति जलमनल्पास्वादमाजीवितान्तं न हि कृतमुपकारं साधवो विस्मरन्ति॥
prathamavayasi pītaṃ toyamalpaṃ smarantaḥ śirasi nihitabhārā nārikelā narāṇām । dadati jalamanalpāsvādamājīvitāntaṃ na hi kṛtamupakāraṃ sādhavo vismaranti ॥
A coconut tree returns the little water received in youth with a lifetime of sweet water, an image of gratitude among good people.
वत्सराजोऽपि तं प्राप्तं प्रदत्तोपायनं नृपम्। प्रीत्या सम्मानयामास शूरा हि प्रणतिप्रियाः॥
vatsarājo 'pi taṃ prāptaṃ pradattopāyanaṃ nṛpam । prītyā sammānayāmāsa śūrā hi praṇatipriyāḥ ॥
Vatsaraja honours a king who comes with gifts, illustrating the brave person's regard for respectful homage.
भस्मीकृतस्वार्थसौख्यपरिचर्चितविग्रहाः। स्वराज्ययोगनिर्मग्ना धन्यास्ते वीरयोगिनः॥
bhasmīkṛtasvārthasaukhyaparicarcitavigrahāḥ । svarājyayoganirmagnā dhanyās te vīrayoginaḥ ॥
The verse praises heroic practitioners who renounce personal comforts and devote themselves fully to self-rule.