Shloka 2.100.13

शततमः सर्गः — Rāma Questions Bharata on Rājadharma (Governance, Counsel, and Public Welfare)

Devanagari script

कच्चिद्देवान्पित्रून् मातृ़र्गुरून्पितृसमानपि।वृद्धांश्च तात वैद्यांश्च ब्राह्मणांश्चाभिमन्यसे।।।।

Transliteration

kaccid devān pitrūn mātṝr gurūn pitṛsamān api | vṛddhāṃś ca tāta vaidyāṃś ca brāhmaṇāṃś cābhimanyase ||

Translation

Dear brother, do you still honor the gods, the forefathers, mothers, teachers, those equal to a father, the aged, physicians, and Brahmins?

Context

Dear brother, I trust you continue to pay homage to gods, father, mothers, teachers, relations equal to your father, aged people, physicians and brahmins.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Bharata
• Devas
• Pitṛs (ancestors)
• Mothers
• Gurus
• Elders
• Physicians (vaidya)
• Brahmins

FAQs

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

Dharma is relational and reverential: society stands on honoring divine order, ancestry, caregivers, teachers, and protectors of health and learning.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma, though exiled, instructs Bharata on the foundations of righteous kingship and personal conduct through a checklist of reverences.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s didactic compassion and Bharata’s expected reverence—showing humility before those who sustain dharma and wellbeing.