Valmiki Ramayana · Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 1
शास्त्रज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च पुरुषान्तरकोविदः। यः प्रग्रहानुग्रहयोर्यथान्यायं विचक्षणः
śāstrajñaśca kṛtajñaśca puruṣāntarakovidaḥ| yaḥ pragrahānugrahayoryathānyāyaṃ vicakṣaṇaḥ
He was versed in scriptures. He was grateful (to those who did him some good) and skilled in differentiating the comparative merits of men. Fair in his judgement he dispensed justice in accordance with law by reprimanding (the delinquent) and favouring (the honest).
— M.N. Dutt (1891)
Commentary
Rama is versed in scriptures and grateful to those who help him. Gratitude (kṛtajñatā) is considered one of the highest virtues in the Ramayana — it binds a person to their past and prevents the arrogance of thinking they are self-made.
कृतज्ञशास्त्र