Shloka 2.100.54

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

Devanagari script

आयस्ते विपुलः कच्चित्कच्चिदल्पतरो व्ययः।अपात्रेषु न ते कच्चित्कोशो गच्छति राघव।।।।

Transliteration

āyas te vipulaḥ kaccit kaccid alpataro vyayaḥ | apātreṣu na te kaccit kośo gacchati rāghava ||

Translation

O Rāghava, are your revenues abundant and your expenditures restrained? And do you ensure that the royal treasury is not squandered on the undeserving?

Context

O Bharata, I trust, your revenues are abundant and expenditure much less. I trust you do not give away your treasure to undeserving persons.

Characters & Entities

• Rāghava (Bharata)
• Kośa (royal treasury)

FAQs

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

A king’s dharma includes fiscal restraint and just distribution: wealth should be protected and used for worthy purposes, not wasted on unfit recipients.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama questions Bharata about the health of the kingdom’s administration, focusing on responsible governance and protection of state resources.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rajadharma—prudence, integrity, and discernment in public finance and patronage.