Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 25, Shloka 18
ताटकावृत्तान्तः
The Account of Tāṭakā and the Royal Duty to Protect
राज्यभारनियुक्तानामेष धर्मस्सनातन:।अधर्म्यां जहि काकुत्स्थ धर्मोह्यस्या न विद्यते।।।।
rājya-bhāra-niyuktānām eṣa dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ | adharmyāṃ jahi kākutstha dharmo hy asyā na vidyate ||
هذا هو الدَّرْمَا الأزلي لمن وُكِّلوا بحمل عبءِ المُلك. يا كاكوتسثا، اقتل هذه الجائرة؛ فليس فيها دَرْمَا البتّة.
This is the eternal law binding those who are appointed to bear the burden of a kingdom. O Kakutstha kill her. She knows no dharma.
FAQs
The ‘sanātana’ duty of rulers is to remove forces that are fundamentally adharmic and harmful; justice is part of protection.
Viśvāmitra issues a direct command to Rāma to kill Tātakā, presenting it as the timeless obligation of those bearing royal responsibility.
Courage aligned with justice—acting decisively against adharma.