Shloka 2.100.26

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

Devanagari script

अमात्यानुपधातीतान्पितृपैतामहाञ्छुचीन्।श्रेष्ठांछ्रेष्ठेषुकच्चित्वं नियोजयसि कर्मसु।।।।

Transliteration

amātyān upadhātītān pitṛ-paitāmahāñ śucīn | śreṣṭhāñ śreṣṭheṣu kaccit tvaṃ niyojayasi karmasu ||

Translation

I hope you appoint to the highest responsibilities those eminent ministers who are incorruptible, of proven family service, and pure in conduct.

Context

I hope you are assigning ministers, who are unyielding to bribery and other temptations, holding positions hereditarily and who are full of integrity and eminence, with superior tasks.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Bharata
• amātya (ministers)

FAQs

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

Dharma demands integrity in public office: the highest duties must be entrusted to incorruptible and upright ministers, ensuring truthfulness (satya) and protection of the people.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma continues his counsel on governance, focusing on appointing trustworthy ministers to top-level responsibilities.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Integrity and incorruptibility in administration—choosing officials resistant to bribery and loyal to righteous governance.