Shloka 2.100.28

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

Devanagari script

कच्चित्त्वां नावजानन्ति याजकाः पतितं यथा।उग्रप्रतिग्रहीतारं कामयानमिव स्त्रियः।।।।

Transliteration

kaccin nogreṇa daṇḍena bhṛśam udvejita-prajam |

rāṣṭraṁ tavānujānanti mantriṇaḥ kaikayī-suta ||

Translation

O son of Kaikeyī, do your ministers approve your rule—without your kingdom’s people being greatly distressed by harsh punishments?

Context

Just like a performer of sacrifice scorns at an outcaste or a woman scorns at a lustful lover, do the subjects not scorn you for collecting taxes more than what is due?

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Bharata
• Kaikeyī
• ministers (mantriṇaḥ)
• kingdom (rāṣṭra)
• citizens (praja)

FAQs

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

Rāja-dharma requires proportionate punishment: governance must protect order without terrorizing the people; harsh danda that agitates citizens undermines dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma questions Bharata about the state of the kingdom and whether governance is being conducted properly and with public welfare in mind.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s concern for subjects and ethical governance; he frames kingship as duty toward the people, not mere power.