Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 3, Shloka 44
यौवराज्याभिषेक-उपकल्पनम्
Preparations for Rama’s Installation as Yuvaraja
कोष्ठागारायुधागारैःकृत्वा सन्निचयान्बहून्।।।।तुष्टानुरक्तप्रकृतिर्यः पालयति मेदिनीम्।तस्यनन्दन्ति मित्राणि लब्ध्वाऽमृतमिवामराः।।।।तस्मात्त्वमपि चात्मानं नियम्यैवं समाचर।
koṣṭhāgārāyudhāgāraiḥ kṛtvā sannicayān bahūn |
tuṣṭānuraktaprakṛtir yaḥ pālayati medinīm |
tasya nandanti mitrāṇi labdhvā ’mṛtam ivāmarāḥ |
tasmāt tvam api cātmānaṁ niyamyaivaṁ samācara ||
He who, having made ample stores in granaries and armories, governs the earth while keeping his subjects content and devoted—his allies rejoice, like the gods who have obtained amṛta. Therefore you too, restraining yourself, act in this very way.
You shall rule the earth by filling granaries of foodgrains and arsenals and keeping the subjects loyal and contented. The friends of such a person will memain pleased like devatas with nectar. Hence conduct yourself with your mind under control.
FAQs
Rajadharma is both moral and practical: a ruler must ensure security and welfare (reserves and defense) while maintaining the subjects’ contentment; such dharmic governance naturally attracts loyal allies.
Daśaratha’s counsel to Rāma expands from personal discipline to concrete duties of governance—preparedness, protection, and sustaining public loyalty.
Responsible kingship: foresight (building reserves), protection, and self-restraint—so that power remains aligned with dharma.