IIT Kanpur English Commentary

Modern synthesis of traditional Sanskrit commentaries (Desiraju Hanumanta Rao & K.M.K. Murthy)

This passage (verses 3-6) lists Rama's virtues as Narada is about to describe them. He looks after everyone's welfare, in this world and beyond, and the tradition notes something specific: he wishes even Ravana, his mortal enemy, well after death. He is atmavan (in full command of his own mind and senses) and jitakrodha -- not incapable of anger, but someone who has mastered the impulse toward unprovoked violence that anger produces. He is anasuyaka, free of envy at another's success or knowledge -- read by the tradition as the quality that keeps real greatness from curdling into arrogance. The physical description that follows (his particular glow, or dyuti) is treated less as literal appearance and more as the visible outward sign of these inward qualities.