Shloka 2.100.76

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

Devanagari script

राजा तु धर्मेण हि पालयित्वा महामतिर्दण्डधरः प्रजानाम्।अवाप्य कृत्स्नां वसुधां यथावदितश्च्युत स्स्वर्गमुपैति विद्वान्।।।।

Transliteration

rājā tu dharmeṇa hi pālayitvā mahāmatir daṇḍadharaḥ prajānām | avāpya kṛtsnāṃ vasudhāṃ yathāvad itaś cyutaḥ svargam upaiti vidvān ||

Translation

But the king—wise and learned, bearing the rod of justice for the people—having ruled righteously according to dharma and attained full sovereignty over the earth, when released from this world, indeed reaches heaven.

Context

The highly sagacious and learned king, having acquired the entire earth and punishing the people in accordance with tradition and righteously ruling the kingdom, will ascend the his release (from this world).ইত্যার্ষে শ্রীমদ্রামাযণে বাল্মীকীয আদিকাব্যে অযোধ্যাকাণ্ডে শততমস্সর্গঃ৷৷Thus ends the hundredth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Daṇḍa (rod of justice)
• Svarga (heaven)
• Earth/kingdom (vasudhā)
• Subjects (prajā)

FAQs

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

Rulership is justified by dharma: just punishment, protection of subjects, and orderly governance lead to both worldly stability and spiritual merit.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma frames kingship as a moral discipline—reminding Bharata that authority must be exercised as daṇḍa (justice) in service of the people.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rajadharma: responsibility, fairness, and learned restraint in the use of power.