Shloka 2.2.37
यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः (Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent)
सङ्ग्रामात्पुनरागम्य कुञ्जरेण रथेन वा।2.2.37।।पौरान् स्वजनवन्नित्यं कुशलं परिपृच्छति।।पुत्रेष्वग्निषु दारेषु प्रेष्यशिष्यगणेषु च।2.2.38।।निखिलेनानुपूर्व्याच्च पितापुत्रानिवौरसान्।।
saṅgrāmāt punar āgamya kuñjareṇa rathena vā || 2.2.37 ||
paurān svajanavan nityaṁ kuśalaṁ paripṛcchati |
putreṣv agniṣu dāreṣu preṣyaśiṣyagaṇeṣu ca || 2.2.38 ||
nikhilena anupūrvyā ca pitā putrān ivaurasān ||
Returning from battle, whether by elephant or by chariot, he ever asks after the citizens’ welfare as though they were his own kin—inquiring fully, and in proper order, about their children, their sacred fires, their wives, and also their servants and pupils, like a father asking after his own sons.
While returning from the battlefield, either on a chariot or an elephant Rama stops and enquires in detail and in order, the welfare of the citizens as he would do for his kith and kin. He enquires about the welfare of their children, sacred rituals, wives, their servants and disciples as a father would enquire of his sons.
Rajadharma is parental care: a righteous ruler treats citizens as family, actively checking their welfare—material, domestic, and ritual—rather than ruling from distance.
After military engagements, Rāma’s conduct toward the townspeople is described: he personally enquires about their well-being in an orderly, attentive manner.
Empathetic responsibility—his leadership is expressed as intimate concern and respectful attentiveness to every household’s condition.