Shloka 2.100.59

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

Devanagari script

यानि मिथ्याभिशस्तानां पतन्त्यश्रूणि राघव।तानि पुत्रान्पशून्घ्नन्ति प्रीत्यर्थमनुशासतः।।।।

Transliteration

yāni mithyābhiśastānāṃ patanty aśrūṇi rāghava | tāni putrān paśūn ghnanti prītyartham anuśāsataḥ ||

Translation

O Rāghava, the tears that fall from those falsely accused—when a ruler punishes merely for his own pleasure—destroy that ruler’s sons and cattle.

Context

O Bharata, the tears falling from the eyes of persons, who are falsely accused and punished for the pleasure of the king will destroy his progeny and cattle as well.

Characters & Entities

• Rāghava (Bharata)
• Falsely accused persons (mithyābhiśasta)

FAQs

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

False punishment violates satya and dharma and brings ruin upon the ruler; a king must never persecute innocents for personal gratification.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama warns Bharata about the moral and social consequences of unjust rule, emphasizing the danger of condemning the innocent.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Compassionate justice—avoiding cruelty and ensuring truth-based judgments.