Shloka 2.100.31

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

Devanagari script

बलवन्तश्च कच्चित्ते मुख्या युध्दविशारदाः।दृष्टापदाना विक्रान्तास्त्वया सत्कृत्यमानिताः।।।।

Transliteration

balavantaś ca kaccit te mukhyā yuddha-viśāradāḥ |

dṛṣṭāpadānā vikrāntās tvayā satkṛtya mānitāḥ ||

Translation

Do you duly honour the foremost soldiers—powerful, skilled in war, proven by deeds, and courageous—so that they feel respected by you?

Context

I trust you honour and respect those prominent soldiers who are courageous, powerful, skilled in war and who have proven heroic exploits.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Bharata
• soldiers/warriors

FAQs

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

Rāja-dharma includes honoring merit and service: recognition and respect sustain morale and loyalty, preventing decay in the protective arm of the state.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma checks whether Bharata maintains the army through respect and proper treatment of distinguished fighters.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Gratitude and discernment: a ruler must know who truly serves and must honour them appropriately.