Shloka 2.100.52

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

Devanagari script

कच्चिन्न सर्वे कर्मान्ताः प्रत्यक्षास्तेऽविशङ्कया।सर्वे वा पुनरुत्सृष्टा मध्यमेवात्र कारणम्।।।।

Transliteration

kaccin na sarve karmāntāḥ pratyakṣās te 'viśaṅkayā |

sarve vā punar utsṛṣṭā madhyam evātra kāraṇam || 2.100.52 ||

Translation

Do all your servants approach you openly and without fear, yet are they neither indulged without restraint nor kept wholly at a distance? Here, the middle way is the sound principle.

Context

All the servants, I trust, do not present themselves to you directly. At the same time they do not remain out of sight with fear at a distance. The middle course is the best way for the welfare of every one.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• karmānta (workers/officials)

FAQs

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

Dharma in administration is balance: neither excessive familiarity nor fearful distance. The ruler should maintain an appropriate, fair relationship with officials for effective and just governance.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma advises Bharata on managing staff and access—how to prevent both disorder (too much closeness) and oppression (too much fear).

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Measured leadership: steadiness and fairness that sustains morale while preserving authority.