Shloka 2.100.17

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

Devanagari script

कच्चिन्निद्रावशं नैषीः कच्चित् कालेऽवबुध्यसे।कच्चिच्चापररात्रेषु चिन्तियस्यर्थनैपुणम्।।।।

Transliteration

kaccin nidrāvaśaṃ naiṣīḥ kaccit kāle ’vabudhyase | kaccic cāpararātreṣu cintayasy artha-naipuṇam ||

Translation

Are you not overcome by sleep—do you wake at the proper time? And in the later part of the night, do you reflect on skilful means of governance?

Context

I trust you are not under the grip of sleep but wake up at appropriate times, I hope you always think of the means of judicious statecraft during the last part of the night.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Bharata
• Night vigil / apararātra

FAQs

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

Dharma requires self-mastery: a ruler’s personal discipline (timely waking, sober reflection) becomes public welfare through better judgment and steadier governance.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma continues his counsel to Bharata, emphasizing the daily regimen and reflective habits expected of a righteous administrator.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-control and vigilance—qualities that prevent negligence and support wise, dharmic rule.