Shloka 2.100.15

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

Devanagari script

कच्चिदात्मसमा श्शूरा श्श्रुतवन्तो जितेन्द्रियाः।कुलीनाश्चेङ्गितज्ञाश्च कृतास्ते तात मन्त्रिणः।।।।

Transliteration

kaccid ātmasamāḥ śūrāḥ śrutavanto jitendriyāḥ | kulīnāś ceṅgitajñāś ca kṛtās te tāta mantriṇaḥ ||

Translation

Dear brother, have you appointed as ministers men equal to you in caliber—brave, learned, self-controlled, well-born, and skilled at reading intentions from subtle signs?

Context

I hope, dear brother, you have appointed men who are brave, learned, self-controlled, of noble birth and skilled in guessing from hints.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Bharata
• Ministers (mantrin)

FAQs

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

Just governance requires virtuous advisers: courage without restraint or learning is dangerous, so dharma demands ministers who combine competence with self-control.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma continues his inquiry into Bharata’s administration, emphasizing the selection of capable counsellors.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence in leadership—choosing advisers of integrity, intelligence, and discipline.