Shloka 3.6.13
षष्ठस्सर्गः — तपस्विरक्षणे राजधर्मोपदेशः (Sarga 6: The Sages’ Appeal and Instruction on Royal Duty)
युञ्जानस्स्वानिव प्राणान्प्राणैरिष्टान्सुतानिव।नित्ययुक्तस्सदा रक्षन्सर्वान्विषयवासिनः।।3.6.12।।प्राप्नोति शाश्वतीं राम कीर्तिं स बहुवार्षिकीम्।ब्रह्मणस्स्थानमासाद्य तत्र चापि महीयते।।3.6.13।।
yat karoti paraṃ dharma muniḥ mūlaphalāśanaḥ |
tatra rājñaś caturbhāgaḥ prajā dharmeṇa rakṣitaḥ ||
Whatever supreme merit a sage gains by living on roots and fruits—one fourth of that accrues to the king, when the people are protected righteously.
O Rama, whoever protects the inhabitants of his kingdom at all times like his own son who he loves more than his own life will attain the world of Brahma and remain there for long years and will achieve prosperity thereafter.
It teaches interdependence: ascetic dharma flourishes under royal protection, and the protector-king gains a share in the merit generated—linking political duty with spiritual consequence.
Sages justify their appeal by explaining the dharmic economy between tapas and kingship: protection enables righteousness, and righteousness benefits the protector.
Protective responsibility—righteous governance that safeguards communities and supports spiritual practice.