Shloka 23

तमसातीरवासः

Night on the Bank of the Tamasa and the Stratagem to Elude the Citizens

Devanagari script

पौरा ह्यात्मकृताद्दुःखाद्विप्रमोच्या नृपात्मजैः।न तु खल्वात्मना योज्या दुःखेन पुरवासिनः।।2.46.23।।

Transliteration

paurā hy ātma-kṛtād duḥkhād vipramocyā nṛpātmajaiḥ |

na tu khalv ātmanā yojyā duḥkhena pura-vāsinaḥ ||2.46.23||

Translation

حقّاً ينبغي لأبناء الملك أن يخلّصوا أهل المدينة من الألم الذي جلبوه على أنفسهم؛ ولكن لا يليق أن يُشرك سكان الحاضرة في المعاناة بسببنا.

Word by Word

पौराःcitizens

हिindeed/for

आत्मकृतात्self-caused

दुःखात्from suffering

विप्रमोच्याःto be freed/released

नृपात्मजैःby the king's sons

नnot

तुbut

खलुcertainly

आत्मनाby oneself

योज्याःto be subjected/joined

दुःखेनwith suffering

पुरवासिनःcity-dwellers

Context

The prince should deliver the citizens from the sufferings caused by themselves but should not make them suffer on their account.

Characters & Entities

citizens (paurāḥ/puravāsinaḥ)

FAQs

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

Rāja-dharma: rulers (and princes) exist to relieve public distress, not to transfer their private burden onto the people.

What is the narrative situation?

As Rama prepares for exile, he reflects that the citizens should not be forced into further suffering because of his departure.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Protective leadership and accountability—placing the welfare of subjects above personal circumstance.