Shloka 2.100.40
शततमः सर्गः — Rāma Questions Bharata on Rājadharma (Governance, Counsel, and Public Welfare)
वीरैरध्युषितां पूर्वमस्माकं तात पूर्वकैः।सत्यनामां दृढ द्वारां हस्त्यश्वरथसङ्कुलाम्।।।।ब्राह्मणैः क्षत्रियैर्वैश्यै स्स्वकर्मनिरतैस्सदा।जितेन्द्रियैर्महोत्साहैर्वृतामार्यै स्सहस्रशः।।।।प्रासादैर्विविधाकारैर्वृतां वैद्यजनाकुलाम्।कच्चित्सुमुदितां स्फीतामयोध्यां परिरक्षसि।।।।
vīrair adhyuṣitāṃ pūrvam asmākaṃ tāta pūrvakaiḥ | satyanāmāṃ dṛḍhadvārāṃ hastyaśvarathasaṅkulām ||
brāhmaṇaiḥ kṣatriyair vaiśyaiḥ svakarmanirataiḥ sadā | jitendriyair mahotsāhair vṛtām āryaiḥ sahasraśaḥ ||
prāsādair vividhākārair vṛtāṃ vaidyajanākulām | kaccit sumuditāṃ sphītām ayodhyāṃ parirakṣasi ||
Dear one, do you protect Ayodhyā—true to her name—once inhabited and defended by our heroic forefathers, with steadfast gates and filled with elephants, horses, and chariots; thronged by thousands of noble, self-controlled, high-spirited brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, and vaiśyas devoted to their own dharma; adorned with palaces of many forms and rich in learned men and physicians—prosperous and content?
My dear brother! I trust you are protecting the (impregnable) city of Ayodhya worthy of its name, formerly defended by our heroic ancestors, with its sturdy gates, its elephants, horses and chariots, its thousands of venerable, self-controlled and highly energetic brahmins, kshatriyas and vaisyas engaged in their respective professions, filled with palaces of various kinds, abounding in learned people and a prosperous city where everything is available in abundance.
Rājadharma as guardianship: the king’s duty is to secure the city and sustain social well-being—safety, prosperity, and people faithfully engaged in their rightful work.
Rāma asks Bharata whether the capital Ayodhyā remains secure and flourishing under his care, describing its ideal civic and moral order.
Protective stewardship: maintaining security and prosperity while honoring established social responsibilities (svadharma).