Shloka 2.105.7
भरतस्य प्रार्थना—रामस्य कालधर्मोपदेशः (Bharata’s Petition and Rama’s Instruction on Time and Mortality)
सुजीवं नित्यशस्तस्य यः परैरुपजीव्यते।राम तेन तु दुर्जीवं यः परानुपजीवति।।2.105.7।।
sujīvaṃ nityaśas tasya yaḥ parair upajīvyate |
rāma tena tu durjīvaṃ yaḥ parān upajīvati ||2.105.7||
O Rāma, blessed indeed is the life of one on whom others constantly rely; but hard is the life of one who must rely upon others.
O Rama, the life of a man on whom others depend for their sustenance is a happy life and the life of one who depends on others for his own mintenance is miserable.
It elevates the dharma of leadership: the protector’s role is to be a support for many, not to seek support for oneself—an ethic of responsibility over dependence.
Bharata argues that Rāma is meant to be the one sustaining others (as king), and that reversal of roles would be improper and painful.
A service-oriented view of power—authority as burden-bearing for others’ welfare.