Valmiki Ramayana · Bala Kanda · Sarga 1
को न्वस्मिन् साम्प्रतं लोके गुणवान् कश्च वीर्यवान् ।
धर्मज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च सत्यवाक्यो दृढव्रतः ॥
Who in this world at present is virtuous, powerful, knowledgeable about dharma, grateful, truthful, and firm in vows?
— Gita Press
इस समय इस लोक में कौन गुणवान्, वीर्यवान्, धर्मज्ञ, कृतज्ञ, सत्यवाक्य और दृढ़व्रत है?
Valmiki asks: who possesses virtue (guna), strength (virya), knowledge of dharma, gratitude, truthfulness, and firmness of vow? These six qualities describe the ideal person. The verse is a masterful summary of the qualities that Rama will later embody throughout the epic. Each term carries deep cultural meaning.
धर्मज्ञ — one who knows dharma / righteousnessकृतज्ञ — grateful, one who remembers kindnessसत्यवाक्य — truthful in speechदृढव्रत — firm in vows / steadfast