Shloka 2.100.68
शततमः सर्गः — Rāma Questions Bharata on Rājadharma (Governance, Counsel, and Public Welfare)
दशपञ्चचतुर्वर्गान्सप्तवर्गं च तत्त्वतः।अष्टवर्गं त्रिवर्गं च विद्यास्तिस्रश्च राघव।।।।इन्द्रियाणां जयं बुद्ध्या षाड्गुण्यं दैवमानुषम्।कृत्यं विंशतिवर्गं च तथा प्रकृतिमण्डलम्।।।।यात्रादण्डविधानं च द्वियोनी सन्धिविग्रहौ।कच्चिदेतान्महाप्राज्ञ यथावदनुमन्यसे।।।।
mantribhis tvaṃ yathoddiṣṭaiś caturbhis tribhir eva vā | kaccit samastair vyastaiś ca mantraṃ mantrayase mithaḥ ||
Do you deliberate in secret on matters of counsel with ministers—three or four as prescribed—both collectively and individually, so that policy is well-tested and protected?
O highly sagacious Bharata, I trust, having understood their true nature you are appropriately following the ten, five and four divisions, the seven divisions, the eight divisions, the three divisions, three kinds of knowledge, victory over the senses, the six qualities, evils arising from destiny and human agency, kritya, division of twenty, similarly Prakriti and Mandalas and two sources of Yatra and chastisement and of peace and war.
Dharmic rule is deliberative and accountable: decisions should be tested through qualified counsel, while maintaining necessary confidentiality for public welfare.
The speaker instructs Bharata on proper ministerial consultation—number of advisers, modes of discussion, and secrecy.
Prudence in governance: seeking wise counsel without compromising state secrets.