Shloka 2.100.42

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

Devanagari script

वीरैरध्युषितां पूर्वमस्माकं तात पूर्वकैः।सत्यनामां दृढ द्वारां हस्त्यश्वरथसङ्कुलाम्।।2.100.40।।ब्राह्मणैः क्षत्रियैर्वैश्यै स्स्वकर्मनिरतैस्सदा।जितेन्द्रियैर्महोत्साहैर्वृतामार्यै स्सहस्रशः।।2.100.41।।प्रासादैर्विविधाकारैर्वृतां वैद्यजनाकुलाम्।कच्चित्सुमुदितां स्फीतामयोध्यां परिरक्षसि।।2.100.42।।

Transliteration

vīrair adhyuṣitāṃ pūrvam asmākaṃ tāta pūrvakaiḥ |

satyanāmāṃ dṛḍha-dvārāṃ hasty-aśva-ratha-saṅkulām ||

brāhmaṇaiḥ kṣatriyaiḥ vaiśyaiḥ sva-karma-nirataiḥ sadā |

jitendriyaiḥ mahotsāhaiḥ vṛtām āryaiḥ sahasraśaḥ ||

prāsādaiḥ vividha-ākāraiḥ vṛtāṃ vaidyajana-ākulām |

kaccit sumuditāṃ sphītām ayodhyāṃ parirakṣasi ||

Translation

Dear brother, I trust you are safeguarding Ayodhyā—true to its very name—once inhabited and defended by our heroic ancestors, secured with firm gates and crowded with elephants, horses, and chariots; thronged by thousands of venerable, self-controlled, high-spirited men—brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, and vaiśyas—steadfast in their own duties; adorned with palaces of many designs, rich in physicians and learned men, joyful and flourishing in prosperity.

Context

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, selfcontrolled 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.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Bharata
• Ayodhyā
• brāhmaṇa
• kṣatriya
• vaiśya

FAQs

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

Rājadharma: the ruler’s foremost duty is protection and flourishing of the capital and its people—security, prosperity, and the orderly performance of social duties.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma questions Bharata about the welfare and protection of Ayodhyā, emphasizing civic security, prosperity, and disciplined social life.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Responsible leadership and vigilance—Bharata is expected to protect the city and uphold a stable, dharmic social order.